Here is a selection of the works on show in Migration Stories: Pakistan. Select the OPEN links to read more about a work, and select the image to enlarge it.
2010 - 2011
Describing himself as a mixture of Scouser, Scot and Pakistani, depending on where he is at the time, Aamer Anwar moved to Glasgow from Liverpool in 1986. A prominent lawyer, Anwar has spent his professional life campaigning against racism and injustice, alongside working to help asylum seekers. He fought to close Dungavel Detention Centre and is an activist with the Stop the War Coalition. This photograph shows Anwar and his wife in their traditional Pakistani wedding clothes, with their son nestled between them. This is very much a family scene, yet there is also a luxuriousness reflected through the patterns and textures of their clothes and surroundings. On the wall behind there is a photograph of the couple on their wedding day.
2011
A widely published novelist, dramatist and poet, Suhayl Saadi practises as a doctor in Glasgow. His father, also a doctor, came to Britain in 1955 and was amongst the first wave of south Asians who helped build the NHS. Alina Mirza settled in Scotland after marrying Saadi. Mirza is a curator and public health specialist. Both Mirza and Saadi are passionate about addressing the under-representation of the Pakistani community in mainstream arts. In 2005 they organised the first Pakistani film, media and arts festival in Glasgow. This intimate family portrait is full of a variety of rich colours and textures giving it a luxurious feel.
2011
An award-winning entrepreneur, Amar Latif had lost ninety-five percent of his sight through an incurable eye condition by the age of twenty. Latif?s determination to be an independent traveller led him to set up the world?s first commercial air-tour business specialising in travel for blind and sighted passengers. A proud Glaswegian, he is well-known for his charity work and has appeared in several television documentaries and acting roles. In this photograph Latif?s relations have all come together to be part of a portrait of a strong and supportive family unit.
2011
Atta Yaqub is best known for his leading role in Ken Loach?s film `Ae Fond Kiss?? (2004). His family came to Glasgow in the 1960s, where he was born. He describes himself as a mixture of British, Scottish and Pakistani, drawing influences from each identity. Yaqub acknowledges his mother as his most influential role model. This striking photograph was taken at Atta?s brother's London flat. The bachelor pad contrasts with the other portraits in this series with its sharp lines, shiny surfaces and bare walls.
2011
This striking photograph of one of the elder statesmen of the Glasgow Pakistani community was taken on Father?s Day. It shows Bashir Maan surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who travelled from across the United Kingdom to be with him for this portrait. The first ever Muslim councillor in the UK, Maan worked his way up from travelling salesman to managing director of a chain of grocery stores. Arriving in Scotland in 1953, he has accepted numerous civic appointments including being selected as the first ethnic minority Justice of the Peace in Scotland. In 1992 he published `The New Scots: The Story of Asians in Scotland?.
2011
Farkhanda Chaudhry has worked in community development and equalities for many years, receiving an MBE in recognition of her work. She has taken up many leadership positions and was the first Muslim female to become a Justice of the Peace in Scotland. Arriving in Scotland in 1963 as a toddler, Chaudhry has been inspired by the self-determination of the first generation of Pakistani immigrants, in particular her father. In this photograph she chose to bring together the women of her family. While this is still an intimate family portrait, it also represents a figure of strong female unity.
2011
Detective-Inspector Faroque Hussain was born in Scotland to a Pakistani father and a Brazilian mother. This diverse upbringing gives Hussain a unique insight into three very different cultures. His Brazilian grandfather went from shining shoes to become the Mayor of his town. His father moved from the Punjab to the UK in 1959, progressing from a factory job to creating a lucrative cash-and-carry business. Both men encouraged Hussain to strive for greater professional success and to become a role model to others. Hussain chose to wear a kilt in this portrait, highlighting his Scottish heritage.
2010
A regular contributor to Radio 4?s `Thought for the Day?, Mona Siddiqui is one of Britain?s most high-profile Muslim academics. Born in Karachi, Siddiqui grew up in Huddersfield before moving to Scotland twenty years ago when she married. Siddiqui is currently professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at the University of Edinburgh. She was previously director of the University of Glasgow?s Centre for the Study of Islam, which she founded in 1997. This striking portrait shows Siddiqui as both a strong woman and a caring mother and wife who wants to instil in her children a sense of themselves as global citizens. It is part of a series by photographer Verena Jaekel who was commissioned to produce portraits of Scots of Pakistani heritage for the re-opening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in 2011.
2011
A successful businessman, Munawar Hayat is member of the prosperous Sher family who own the largest cash-and-carry business in Scotland. The family came to Glasgow in 1938 as part of the initial wave of immigration to Scotland from Pakistan. Working originally as travelling salesmen, the company has expanded over two generations, employing many members of the extended family and creating an internationally renowned business in the process. This photograph is part of a series by photographer Verena Jaekel, who was commissioned to produce portraits of Scots of Pakistani heritage for the re-opening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in 2011. Jaekel uses long exposures, and in this portrait has introduced a lovely sense of moment with the kicking feet of the baby girl.
2011
Amongst her many achievements, Shaheen Unis co-founded the Edinburgh Mela. She first came to Britain from Lahore in 1967 as a young bride aged sixteen. Settling in Edinburgh in 1971, she credits her father and grandmother with the entrepreneurial spirit which inspired her to found her flourishing Asian catering company. Although she does not describe herself as Scottish, Unis feels that having settled here for so many years, her loyalty lies with Scotland and it is her duty to give back to the community. This photograph shows Unis with her husband and grandchildren at home in Edinburgh. There is a warmth to the picture which reflects the close knit family unit.
2011
Both successful business people, Iqbal and Nosheena Mobarik established a thriving software company in 1997. Nosheena Mobarik was recently appointed Chairman of CBI Scotland and received an OBE in 2004 for services to business in Scotland. She is the first Asian to chair the Scottish arm of the CBI. Her father, Muhammed Tufail Shaheen, whose portrait was also taken as part of this series, she cites as a positive role model. This photograph is a companion piece to the one of her father, both of which were taken at the Mobarik?s home in Glasgow.
2011
Retired businessman Muhammed Tufail Shaheen is an active community leader and President of the Glasgow Central Mosque, which he was instrumental in building. His grandson regards him as a positive role model, describing him as a successful businessman with a strong belief in helping those less fortunate. Shaheen stopped in Scotland in 1958 on his way to Canada. He liked the people and the country so much he decided to stay. . This photograph is a companion piece to the one of his daughter, Nosheena Mobarik, both of which were taken at the Mobarik?s home in Glasgow. This is a striking portrait, the stag figurine introducing a very Scottish aesthetic.
2011
An award-winning filmmaker, Sana Bilgrami grew up in Karachi and moved to Scotland in 2000. Although she feels a deep sense of belonging and gave birth to her son here, Bilgrami would find it awkward to describe herself as Scottish. She does, however, feel very much at home in Edinburgh, a city which holds a great deal of personal history for her. This history is explored in her moving film, `Fragments of a Love Story?, which is part of the National Galleries of Scotland Collections. In this intimate family photograph the adults chose to wear western clothes while dressing the children in traditional Pakistani costume.
2011
The first ever British Muslim MP, Mohammad Sarwar was a Labour MP in Glasgow until 2010, when his son Anas Sarwar succeeded him. Mohammad Sarwar followed his father and uncle to Scotland in 1976. Anas Sarwar MP is an NHS dentist who was born and brought up in Glasgow. He describes himself as a Scot, specifically a Glaswegian, saying he would not want to live anywhere else in the world. This photograph was taken in the family home and shows the father, mother and their children.
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