Mobeen Ansari

Corners of Aitchison

The tree of Bibi Pak Daman

Junoon X Miraas- A story from shoot to book!

In late summer of 2018, Junoon had reunited after many years and it was truly exciting news for music lovers in Pakistan. This was also when I was working on my book 'Miraas' and I felt that the musical chapter could not be complete without photographing Junoon. On my request, Fariha set up the shoot on very short notice and I read her message at 5 in the morning that this was Brian O'Connell 's (who flew in from the US) last day in Pakistan. I got on the next bus to Lahore and met the band- and photographed them on the rooftop of Ali Azmat's Guitar School- the position was inspired by their photo in the iconic 'Azadi' album cover.

5 years later, the book came out and I wanted to get the band to autograph their page. I happened to be in the US and sent a copy to Brian and Salman Ahmad who very kindly signed it and sent it back to me. I took the book with me to Lahore for the launch there and got Ali Azmat to sign it, completing the circle. I thought this was pretty cool as it looks like an album cover!

This is one of the many stories in the making of the book. I look forward to sharing some of these at its launch in Karachi on 25th November!

I am excited to bring 'Miraas' to Karachi at the Adab Festival Pakistan. Join Rumana Husain and myself on an interactive session on 'Miraas: Photographing the Eminent'.

The event will be held on 25th November from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm at City Talk Hall at Habitt City (Sharea Faisal/Tipu Sultan Road, Karachi). Copies of the book will also be available at the event and I will also sign the books at the end of my session.

Looking forward to seeing you all!

I am so grateful to everyone who came to the launch of my book 'Miraas' in Lahore. It was an absolute joy to do a book launch in the city after nearly 10 years. It was truly special as I've studied and lived for a few years in Lahore, and so many amazing people I've photographed in the book are from the city.

A huge thank you to my family, friends and colleagues who came, supported, bought the books and made it a special event.

I am grateful to Alliance Française de Lahore for hosting this event.

Copies of the book are available in Lahore. Those who are interested please inbox or drop an email on [email protected]

Photos by Waqas Shabbir

Sania Saeed's work has always inspired me and her shoot was one of my most favorites to do for 'Miraas'. She was very kind to share a few words.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Lahore launch tomorrow (14th November) at Alliance Française de Lahore 4:30-6:30 PM. Please do register here: https://forms.gle/rEibjmUiTmfZbe9C9

Sania Saeed speaks about my book 'Miraas' The iconic actress Sania Saeed always not only always inspired me and millions of others with her craft, but she has had an impact on my work and was the per...

I'm honored to have my photographs featured on Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2024 feature, among some of the most incredible destinations in the world. You may see the feature on this link: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel

Offerings

Legends of the fall

Hi everyone, in light of the environmental crisis due to smog and government orders for lockdown this week, we are postponing the Lahore launch of 'Miraas' to Tuesday, 14th of November from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Health and safety of everyone comes first.

I look forward to seeing you all and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Please register for the event on this link: https://forms.gle/rEibjmUiTmfZbe9C9

One of the portrait shoots I felt the most privileged to do for 'Miraas' was of the eminent Syed Babar Ali. His shoot was one of the final shoots that concluded a 12 year long photography stage of the book. I'm honored to have gifted him his copy

Hi everyone, I'm excited to have my first book launch in Lahore after almost 10 years! I look forward to seeing you to the launch of my book 'Miraas' at Alliance Française de Lahore on 10th November, from 4 PM -6 PM.

I'll be presenting some of my photographs and stories behind them, as well as from the book. I'll be signing copies of 'Miraas' as well.

Please register on this link: https://forms.gle/rEibjmUiTmfZbe9C9

Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1378773139716398?ref=newsfeed

Truly honored to have photographed Marina Khan for Miraas all these years ago. She has always been a joy for everyone who has grown up watching her on television.

Finding light

Shades of emerald

Corners of Bibi Pak Daman

Towards the realm

Pillars of fall

A big thanks to everyone who came to the launch of Miraas at Artcade on Thursday. It was my first launch in my hometown after many years, so to come back and see many people, including familiar faces in attendance, was an emotional experience, to say the least. I'm very thankful to my friends and family who came to support. I was also very happy to see people I've had the honor of photographing for my book, in attendance, such as Nigar Nazar, who everyone knows is the creator of Gogi Studios and comic strip, Hasnain Alam and Rina Saeed Khan. I am truly thankful to them for being part of my book and for taking time out to come!

I am grateful to Zainab Omar Zainabjan and Roma Larak Ali and their team at Artcade for hosting this special event and I am honored to have the privilege of launching my book in such a beautiful space that I've always loved. I would also like to express my gratitude to Ali Bhatti, Director at Alliance française d'Islamabad and his organization, for their immense logistical support and co-hosting the event.

The book is currently available with me in Islamabad and available for shipping countrywide. Details will be shared soon about launches in Karachi and Lahore insh'Allah.

Thank you, everyone, for your continuous support.

5 years after photographing Atif Aslam for my book 'Miraas', we finally crossed paths in Chicago and I got to give him his copy!

Hi everyone, I'd like to invite you to the launch of my new book 'Miraas' in collaboration with Artcade in Islamabad on 19th October at 5-7 pm inshAllah. It will be held at Artcade itself.

A special thanks to Alliance française d'Islamabad for their support and collaboration

I'll be presenting my work and talking about the book before opening the floor to Q&A and signing the books. I'm looking forward to seeing you all!

As I gear up for the launch of my book 'Miraas' on 19th October (details to be shared tomorrow) I'm sharing a sneak preview of what to expect in the book. I'm honored to have photographed some of the most incredible people from all walks of life and professions, who have not only left an impact on Pakistan, but on the world, through their work and contributions.

Here are 3 portraits- featuring the late Krishan Lal Bheel, who was the torchbearer of folklore in Cholistan desert, Sania Saeed, whose performances hold so much power, and Syed Babar Ali, who founded LUMS and is a great example of philanthropy.

Last night, I celebrated the end of a very successful tour of Chicago by photographing some cityscapes. As the sun set and the city lit up, I felt immense gratitude to the people of the city who came to my events, engaged in interactions, supported my work, and helped me launch my new book. It has always been wonderful to come to Chicago. Thank you all!

As I head back home to Pakistan soon, I'm excited to announce that the book launch will be held in Islamabad in a week from now. I will be sharing details soon!

I just had my last event in Chicago at Evanston Art Center yesterday and what an amazing way to wrap up the whirlwind tour!

Every venue and event was different- there were always new (and familiar faces, especially people who attended two or all sessions), and in every event was a different dialogue and setup. I was also very happy to see attendees from the hard of hearing/deaf community at every event- and sharing that commonality made me connect with the audience even more.

I'm truly happy to see my new book 'Miraas' doing well in its consecutive launches. Thank you everyone who showed up, heard my stories and gave me an experience of a lifetime!

I absolutely enjoyed presenting my photographs and books to a wonderful and diverse audience at Skokie Public Library yesterday.

Looking forward to seeing you at my last event in Chicago tomorrow (5th Oct) at Evanston Art Center at 6:30 PM!

A huge thank you to everyone who came to our event at South Asia Institute yesterday. It was so great interacting with such a diverse and fantastic audience in the heart of Chicago and sharing my stories. I am overwhelmed by your support.

It was such a privilege to speak on this platform and stage. South Asia Institute is truly an incredible place where everyone comes together, connects and has an opportunity to see and learn so much, and some of the most amazing artists have exhibited here over the years. I am grateful to the founders Shireen and Afzal Ahmad for hosting this special event.

I have no words to thank Shireen Hafeez and her brainchild Deaf Kids Code for co hosting this, and for always supporting my journey over the years. Her organization has done so much work and created awareness for hearing loss. I am honored to have been a part of Deafness Awareness Month.

I now look forward to seeing you all at my other 2 events in Chicago (3rd October at Skokie Public Library and 5th October at Evanston Art Center). My books were sold out at the event yesterday, so we will be stocking more copies of my two books 'White in the Flag' and 'Miraas' at these two events.

Looking forward to seeing you all at South Asia Institute this Saturday, 3-5 PM, where I'll be presenting my work and telling stories behind some of the photographs I've taken over the years.

Some copies of my book, White in the Flag, will also be available at the event

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mobeen-ansari-tapestry-of-a-land-book-talk-tickets-705384834027?fbclid=IwAR2SuxmrEsv4ynsO9mF_B0WLJD8_B1kO_J1HMpbdckXNiDjCo-MQoCT2fI8

Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/6918453751501156/?ref=newsfeed

Hi everyone, copies of my books 'White in the Flag' and 'Miraas' will be available at my events in Chicago on 3rd and 5th of October.

3 October 6:30 PM-8:00 PM- Skokie Public Library

5 October 6:30 PM-8:30 PM- Evanston Art Center

A few copies of White in the Flag will be available at the inaugural event at South Asia Institute on 30th September. Looking forward to seeing you all!

I'm truly grateful to my friend Mona Kafeel and her family for hosting an wonderful intimate event that launched my new book, Miraas. It was such an emotional experience meeting new and old friends, including my former teacher from NCA.

It took me 12 years to work on this book and I was so involved in the process of the photography and text- that to have an opportunity to present and talk about it was a truly rewarding experience. Thank you to everyone who came and supported!

I look forward to seeing you at my events in Chicago in the next few weeks!

Award Winning Photographer Mobeen Ansari Releases New Book 'Miraas' Mobeen has previously published two photography books ‘Dharkan: The Heartbeat of a Nation’ and ‘White in the Flag.’

Hi everyone, I'm excited to be back in the US! I'm in Dallas for a few days before heading to Chicago where I'll be doing all the events I posted about previously. Here's the rundown

30 September 3-5 PM- South Asia Institute - tickets here- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mobeen-ansari-tapestry-of-a-land-book-talk-tickets-705384834027

3 October 6:30 PM-8:00 PM- Skokie Public Library

5 October 6:30 PM-8:30 PM- Evanston Art Center - event registration here: https://forms.gle/cdPMFdL8ySsXLDHu7

Looking forward to seeing you all!

Hi everyone, I'm truly elated to announce that my new book Miraas just came out of the printers today. I'm truly grateful to all of you who supported this book and made it possible. I have no words to express my gratitude to the wonderful people who agreed to let me photograph them and took time out and trusted me.

Its publication is a culmination of a 12 year journey, as I worked on this book while working on Dharkan and White in the Flag in parallel. This book celebrates some of the most incredible heroes and heroines of Pakistan- both known and unknown.

This book will be ready for launch insh'Allah by mid October and details will be shared soon. In the meantime, I'm preparing to launch this in the US where I look forward to sharing stories of incredible 105 individuals I photographed for the book.

Last but not the least, the book was designed by my amazingly talented friend Minhaj Ahmed Roshan, who has been part of my journey since NCA days.

Twilight over Kumrat

The ascent

Wonderful meeting Anwar Maqsood 11 years after taking his photos for my book Dharkan! It brought back so many memories of the process and shoots of the early years of putting together the book.

He was very gracious to sign my copy of the book too!

Hi everyone, one more event has been added to the Chicago 2023 tour, this time on 3rd October at Skokie Public Library. I'll be doing another artist talk there besides the other events I shared., as well as present both my books. I hope to see you all!

For more details about the event: https://skokielibrary.info/events/17507/art-identity-and-the-seen-and-unseen-artist-talk-by-mobeen-ansari

Among the trees

Mosaics of a mosque

Hi everyone, another event has been added to my Chicago tour, alongside the event at South Asia Institute on 30 September. The event will be at Evanston Art Center on 5th October from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

I'll be giving my artist talk and presenting my books- including the upcoming one 'Miraas', as well as screening my short films.

Here's the Google form for the event registration. Looking forward to seeing you all!

https://forms.gle/cdPMFdL8ySsXLDHu7

Bowl of lights