Vienna, (Muhammad Amir Siddique) – A celebration of Pakistani cultural heritage, featuring Music concert an exhibition of the rare Ms Brigitte Neubacher (artist and former UN official in Pak/ Afg 1990–2001), Collection, took place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 (at 4:00 PM) at the Weltmuseum Wien, Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna.

The Ambassador of Pakistan, His Excellency Mohammad Kamran Akhtar, served as the chief guest for the exhibition. The event was attended by a large number of people, including members of the international community, representatives of the Pakistani community, art enthusiasts, students, and historians.

In his special address on this occasion, Pakistan’s Ambassador, Mohammad Kamran Akhtar, began by paying a heartfelt tribute to all the cultural artists. He remarked that Pakistan’s cultural heritage is enriched by a multifaceted civilization. Cultural heritage serves as a custodian of social diversity and the past; it reflects the present and acts as a guarantor for the future. The Ambassador also commended the Pakistani community for their role in strengthening ties between the peoples of Pakistan and Austria. He noted that exhibitions of this nature—through discussions, cultural events, and other activities—not only highlight Pakistan’s heritage and culture but also foster friendship between the two nations.

The Ambassador stated that the Embassy of Pakistan would continue to collaborate with the Pakistani community to further strengthen political, economic, cultural, and educational relations between Pakistan and Austria. He added that this collection has served as a significant medium for promoting Pakistani culture and contemporary art abroad, particularly in Europe. Exhibitions of this collection have previously been held in Vienna (at Palais Pálffy in 2007) and other cultural centers across Austria, where Salima Hashmi herself highlighted its significance through her writings. This large-scale public presentation offered a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts, students, and historians to explore the origins and intellectual foundations of the work of these four pillars of Pakistani art. Pakistan’s cultural heritage is adorned with a multifaceted civilization; our heritage stands as a beautiful testament to human creativity and diversity.

The exhibition features a collection of internationally acclaimed contemporary masterpieces from the 1990s—Paintings of famous Pak Artists created by Mrs. Salima Hashmi, Mr Quddus Mirza, Mr Anwar Saeed, and Mr Rashid Rana—which are being presented to the public for the first time. These paintings and artworks reflect various facets of Pakistani culture and artistic heritage.

The Mrs. Brigitte Neubacher Collection is an exceptionally rare and historic assemblage of international or Pakistani contemporary art. It preserves seminal masterpieces from the 1990s that transformed the global perception of Pakistan’s cultural heritage and modern art. Now exhibited to the public for the first time, this collection reflects the early, revolutionary vision of some of Pakistan’s most influential artists, including Salima Hashmi, Quddus Mirza, Anwar Saeed, and Rashid Rana.

The 1990s represent a significant milestone in the history of Pakistani fine arts. It was a period of profound political and social transformation, during which artists began adapting traditional and miniature techniques into a modern, profound, and narrative-driven style. This collection by Brigitte Neubacher encapsulates the intellectual and artistic maturity that characterized this era.

Among the notable artists who participated is Mrs. Salima Hashmi—A distinguished painter, art educator, and daughter of the poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Her work reflects a deep engagement with socio-political consciousness and human rights. During this period, she played a pivotal curatorial role in introducing contemporary Pakistani art to the international stage.

Mr. Quddus Mirza – A distinguished painter, art critic, and former professor at the National College of Arts (NCA). His style is influenced by children’s art and abstract elements. In the early 1990s, he was associated with the Royal College of Art in London and participated in numerous international group exhibitions.

Mr. Anwar Saeed – A unique master of contemporary art and a painter whose work explores human psychology and existential questions. He boldly captured the social and political repercussions that emerged in the post-Zia-ul-Haq era on his canvas.

Mr. Rashid Rana is Pakistan’s most renowned new media and digital artist. Moving beyond traditional painting, he made a name for himself in the realm of photographic mosaics. His celebrated ‘Non-Sense’ series emerged in the late 1990s (1999–2000), marking the beginning of his transition from painting to new media.

At the conclusion of the exhibition, attendees took photographs with the His Excellency Ambassador of Pakistan and the artists, capturing these beautiful moments and vibrant cultural colors through their cameras.

Following the exhibition, a musical performance was held featuring Pakistani sitar player Ashraf Sharif Khan and Hamburg-based electronic producer and DJ Victor Marek. They presented an energetic ‘fusion’ style—dubbed ‘Sufi Dub’—which blended traditional South Asian classical ragas with electronic beats, hip-hop, acid, and dub music. The performance captivated the audience, compelling them to dance and earning the artists great acclaim.

Ustad Ashraf Sharif Khan Poonchwala: A sitar player hailing from the Poonch Gharana (lineage), who is following in the footsteps of his father, Ustad Muhammad Sharif Khan Poonchwala.

Victor Marek: A Hamburg-based DJ, producer, and sampling expert, known for his unique and enigmatic ‘Sufistep’ electronic sound.

The event in Vienna, Austria—comprising an exhibition of Pakistani art, a musical concert, and a showcase of a rare collection belonging to Ms. Brigitte Neubacher—concluded, leaving behind wonderful memories.