Islamabad, September 23, 2025 — The exhibition Remains of Ruins opened at the Sir Syed Memorial Art Gallery to commemorate the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to promote a message of peace and resilience. The show presents powerful paintings and sculptures by Ustad Bashir Ahmed, former Principal of the National College of Arts, whose work captures both the human devastation of the atomic bombings and the hope that followed.
His Excellency Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, attended as Chief Guest and reiterated Japan’s commitment to achieving a world without nuclear weapons. The Ambassador said that the memories of Hiroshima Nagasaki must be preserved to guide collective efforts toward disarmament and peace. He personally viewed each artwork and was briefed by Ustad Bashir Ahmed on the themes and techniques behind the pieces.
Mr. Jamal Shah, President of the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association and Chairman of the Silk Road Culture Centre, reflected on the moral duty to choose peace over destruction, and on how cultural exchange deepens mutual understanding between nations. Organizers of the exhibition included the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association, the Silk Road Culture Centre and the Sir Syed Memorial Society, who worked together to bring these artworks to Islamabad.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Nusrat Ara Majeed, Senior Vice President PJCA; Mr. Zafar Mahmood, Acting Secretary General PJCA; Ms. Nigar Nazar; Ms. Rubeena Orita; diplomats from the Embassy of Japan; senior government officials; renowned artists; scholars; students; and a large number of art lovers. The event also hosted the PJCA Regular Members’ Get-Together, reinforcing people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Japan.
The exhibition uses the universal language of art to advance peace education and cultural diplomacy. Through scenes that recall the catastrophic effects of nuclear weapons and portrayals of recovery and resilience, the show aims to make a meaningful contribution to the cause of nuclear disarmament and to remind visitors of the human cost behind geopolitical decisions.
Organisers and participants expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the exhibition and attended the inauguration. By highlighting the legacy of Hiroshima Nagasaki, the exhibition stands as a solemn reminder of the dangers of nuclear weapons and the unifying power of art to foster dialogue and coexistence.
