Gulraiz Ghouri : A Versatile Genius in the Contemporary Art of Creative Photography in Pakistan
Gulraiz Ghouri ----- a name, unique in its own-self; an artist, articulate in his own art; a photographer, perfect in his own technique. He has transcended the orthodox photographic subjects and is focusing on the scenic beauty of Pakistan in general and landscape of Northern Areas in particular. Gulr
aiz exploits all the basic principles of art – proportion, rhythm, balance, contrast, light and lively tones of colours – in his photography. “Creative Photography demands the sort of talent that was once used only in painting and writing,” says Gulraiz. A good image is the candid reflection of Photographer’s inner-self. Gulraiz always uses photography to express himself. We can have the taste of painting out of his living photographs. Re-Birth of Wordsworth----
“God has bestowed Pakistan with ultimate diversity of natural beauty and I have devoted myself to expose it,” vows Ghouri. Natural beauty seems to be his love, his ultimate passion, his only devotion. When we translate Wordsworth’s poetry through the lense of camera, Gulraiz’s images emerge instantly. “ Lake District” was a passion for Wordsworth’s poetic sensibility; “Northern Pakistan” enchants Gulraiz’s creative genius. Wordsworth romanticized English poetry; Gulraiz rejuvenates the art of photography in Pakistan. Wordsworth spiritualized nature and so does Gulraiz. Colours of Nature, dignity of seasons, mesmerizing landscapes, sizzling weathers, rhythmic clouds, fluttering flowers, sounding cataracts, and adventurous moves provide stimulus for his artistic endeavors. He does not portray nature; instead he portrays the idiosyncrasies of nature. His visual images transport you into the realm of serene tranquility. His nature photography seems to be more realistic than reality itself. His Diversified Personality
A Human Being: Gulraiz Ghouri is a paragon of virtues. Simplicity and devotion, humility and meekness, honesty and sincerity are the hallmarks of his personality. You will always find him a self-less companion, a considerate colleague and above all an industrious worker. A Spouse and Father: Family is Gulraiz’s first and last love. His wife and children are a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. “I salute my wife for her patience and my children for their tolerance,” Gulraiz admits candidly, “because, usually, I escape from home for unknown destinations and unlimited time periods to perform my professional duties.”
A Friend: Gulraiz possesses all the traits of a true “ LAHORI” friend. His amiable nature and social instinct have won him a long list of friends. You will always find him frank, helpful, honest and straightforward. A Teacher: It would definitely be a pleasant surprise to know that he has a large number of enthusiastic disciples throughout Pakistan. They are quenching their thirst of creative Photography under his guidance. Ghouri teaches them not only the art of exposing images but also the qualities of a dedicated professional. A Dedicated Professional: It will be a treat for your senses to watch Gulraiz earnestly absorbed in his creative work. He is always engrossing, daring and adventurous in his professional pursuits. He seems to enjoy his work though tedious and painstaking at times. An Institution in his Own-self: Gulraiz, no doubt, is a self-styled, self-taught professional artist. Decades of relentless expertise and experience conveniently classify him as an institution, an academy in his own-self. A Patriot above Patriotism
“ A call from any remote corner of Pakistan stimulates my creative sensibility and I find myself helpless but to respond to it” states Gulraiz. Besides photography, hiking, traveling, trekking and mountaineering are some of the other passions he has indulged in. His commitment to unveil Pakistan’s scenic uniqueness in its entirety and diversity is unsurpassable. If you have the patience to follow Gulraiz right from the snow-covered Karakoram peaks to the lush green fields of Indus valley, awesome wilderness of Cholistan up to the serenity of Arabian shores, Nature reveals its virginity in four different moods—summer, winter, spring, autumn. Here lies the difference between Gulraiz and his contemporaries. Name any mountain, valley, glacier, river, desert, monument, lake or pass Gulraiz will provide you documentary proof of his intimacy with that. Literally he has created documentary images of every nook and corner of his motherland. His Mission
To promote scenic beauty, cultural history and traditional values of Pakistan abroad
This self-styled, self-disciplined prolific artist has collected hundred of thousands different images of Pakistan. His work has been produced on greeting cards, calendars, tourism posters and in books. He conveys his cause- love nature- through his photos, but never promotes his business. His work has the power to communicate directly with the viewers. He has succeeded in attracting a substantial number of foreign tourists through his visual images of Pakistan.
“ In Pakistan no individual or organization has done as much for the promotion of tourism as I have but TDCP has never contacted me for any kind of collaborated effort. I am investing all my hard earning in my continuing projects on my own,” says Gulraiz. Does Gulraiz deserve acclaimation? Talent of such an exceptional genius deserves appreciation and encouragement. Gulraiz’s efforts to discover the true colours and diversified facets of Pakistan are more valuable than any other artist’s. We must utilize his talent for the promotion of progressive and moderate image of Pakistan abroad. Let us hope that Gulraiz Ghouri would continue his photographic endeavors with missionary zeal and professional dedication. And in due course of time the services of this Anonymous Ambassador of Pakistan will be acclaimed and rewarded at national and international levels. Gulraiz Ghouri has expressed his desire to expose the natural landscape of Oman. “I would love to explore the unexplored and expose the cultural and traditional values if invited by Tourism Department of Oman”, says Ghouri. (Written by: Mr. Muhammad Aamir)
ACHIEVEMENTS
1st Prize in Architectural Category: All Pakistan Photography Competition 2005 (Focus on Pakistan) Organized by Ministry of Information, Government of Pakistan (Awarded by: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz)
1st Prize in Cultural Life Category: All Pakistan Photography Competition 2005 (Focus on Pakistan) Organized by Ministry of Information, Government of Pakistan (Awarded by: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz)
Gold Medal: National Photographic Exhibition 1995 Organized by Photographic Art Society
Silver Medal: National Photographic Exhibition 1994 Organized by Photographic Art Society
2 Honourable Mention Certificates: National Photography Exhibition 1994 Organized by PASP
1st Prize: First Slide Competition1996 Organized by International Tourism Venture
Best of the Show Award: First Slide Competition1996 Organized by International Tourism Venture
Silver Medal: “Focus on Nature” Photographic Exhibition 1993 Organized by World Wild Life Federation
Best of the Show Award: Second Golden Jubilee Slide Competition 1997 Organized by International Tourism Venture
ITV Trophy: Second Golden Jubilee Slide Competition 1997 Organized by International Tourism Venture
Best of the Show Award: Second Golden Jubilee Slide Competition 1997Organized by International Tourism Venture
Gold Medal: 1st PASP (Photographic Art Society of Pakistan) National Slide Competition2001
Certificate of Merit: 1st PASP (Photographic Art Society of Pakistan) National Slide Competition 2001
Certificate of Merit: National Exhibition of Photography Organized by PSP 1999
Honourable Mention: 10th Pakistan International Salon of Photographic Art Exhibition 1994, Organized by Pakistan Salon Group
Honourable Mention: 11th World Cup Pakistan International Salon of Photographic Art Exhibition 1995, Organized by Pakistan Salon Group
Certificate of Merit: Pakistan Golden Jubilee Photographic Exhibition, 1997
7th Position: International Photography Exhibition 1996 Held in Kuwait Organized by Kuwait Oil Company
Certificate of Merit: Annual Photographic Art Exhibition 1997 Held at Alhamra Art Gallery Lahore. If you are looking for high resolution pictures of Natural landscape you can check out our website www.fotobank.pk
