Muneeb Ali Khan's solo show at Islamabad's Studio B2 maps out the cartographies of the heart
Architect and artist Muneeb Ali Khan recently concluded a solo exhibition titled Heda’a Kaar at Studio B2 in Islamabad. Curated by Muhammad Hamza, the show displayed 29 pieces created through a precise combination of pen, pencil, watercolour, and ashwood veneer. These works serve as a visual memoir, documenting the artist’s transition from corporate architecture in the UK and Islamabad toward a deeper exploration of personal history and spiritual reflection.
The title Heda’a Kaar draws from an ancient tradition used by Saudi Arabian herders to guide camels through the desert at night. Khan uses this concept to describe the synchronicity between an individual’s internal state and the external world. The collection is organized into four distinct chapters that address themes of loss, the continuity of family, and the pressures of modern professional life. One notable series examines the mechanical nature of digital scripts compared to the organic, deliberate movement of hand-drawn calligraphy.
A central focus of the exhibition is the artist’s navigation of loss, specifically following the death of his father. Through meticulous stippled lines, Khan creates a tangible connection to his past, while other works provide a shift toward the warmth of future generations. The exhibition also offers a critique of contemporary labor, using metaphors to depict the disconnect felt by modern workers who operate without grounding influences.
The series concludes with a stark contrast between human devotion and the hollow nature of automated processes. By displaying hand-written Arabic phrases alongside computer-generated versions, Khan highlights how technology often strips spiritual expression of its inherent meaning. The exhibition serves as a record of the artist’s dual identity as a builder of physical structures and a creator of soul-centered narratives, challenging viewers to observe the subtle details of human experience.
The show provides no simple answers for its audience. Instead, it invites visitors to engage with the weight of conflict, the energy of youth, and the necessity of finding personal sanctuaries amidst the rigid demands of daily life. The pieces on display demonstrate the ability of art to act as a mechanism for grounding, offering a reflective space that honors both individual memory and universal struggle. The exhibition closed on July 26, 2026, leaving a lasting impression on the Islamabad art scene through its rigorous attention to craft and conceptual depth.