Missing Painting by Sindh Artist Safdar Ali Resurfaces in ARY Drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum
A painting by Safdar Ali, also known as Saifi Soomro from Dharki, Sindh, which had been missing since 2017, recently resurfaced in a popular ARY drama serial Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. Saifi, who was a final-year student at the University of Jamshoro’s Art and Design Department in 2016, had created a series of paintings as part of his thesis project.
Two of these paintings were submitted for exhibition at Karachi’s historic Frere Hall in 2017. Saifi was informed that if the paintings were sold during the exhibition, he would be compensated. Otherwise, the artworks would be returned to him. However, instead of receiving his unsold paintings, Saifi was told that they had been lost by the gallery.
Recently, the missing painting appeared in a scene from the drama serial Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. Saifi Soomro recognized his work instantly while watching the show and repeatedly replayed the footage to confirm its authenticity.
Frere Hall’s Response and the Lost Receipt
According to BBC, Frere Hall’s management denied any involvement in the loss of the painting. They claimed the artwork is still housed in their gallery and that artists can reclaim their work by presenting a receipt. However, Saifi Soomro revealed that due to the passage of time, he no longer possesses the receipt for his paintings, making the process of reclaiming them more complicated.
Social Media Uproar
This incident sparked widespread attention on social media after it was shared in an online consumer rights group. Many people expressed their support for Saifi Soomro, calling for transparency and accountability from art galleries and exhibition venues. The resurfacing of this artwork has reignited debates about the management and protection of artists’ intellectual property, especially in prominent public venues like Frere Hall.
The unexpected appearance of Saifi Soomro’s painting in a mainstream drama has not only brought his work back into the spotlight but also highlighted the challenges artists face in safeguarding their creations.
