Tales of Pakistani Cultural Paint Brush breaking the Conventional Artistic Expression-

Inner and outer world of the Digital Illustrator- Omar Gillani

An artist that collided in the world of alternate sci-fictional realities, both surrealist and realism
combination of paintings. Dali would have been proud to see this persons canvas with his strokes of
paint brush. His name is Omar Gilani , who already created storm in the social media, knew that
engineering was the path to his creative endeavors. With his ideal Gulgee- in his mind, he was not
shooting for the stars but for the moon. Of course, GulGees engineering background and Omars similar
career path meant he was destined for it.

Celebrating our Pakistani-sm elements through digital illustration of futuristic expressions, he is also the
Creative Director of Patari.pk. In conversation with the rising artist Omar Gilani behind Pakistans
famous streets, heroes, cultures and city landscapes that turned into next marvel superhero action
movie scenes, can make us wonder how he gets his ideas from.

MSK: Q1: It is unbelievable yet convincing that without having any formal training in arts, you have
managed to conquer artistic venture. How important self-education of a certain subject is, which
interests any individuality?

I feel that most education is self-education; a formal training can only place you in the correct
environment, with mentors and guides, but ultimately the learning part of it is up to the student. I know
many people, including myself in Engineering school, who were being formally trained but didnt get
much out of it because they didnt care. Regarding my art education, I did toy with the idea of going to
art school, but I dont think it would have made a whole lot of difference. Especially with the internet,
its now possible to get a world class education without ever leaving your house.

MSK: Q2 A) Lets begin from childhood transitional journey that led to you to have the same dream
reality as of your inspiration Gulgee. Describe yourself as a child a kid reading mostly or daydreaming
with likes of color pencils? B ) Was there any favorite coloring book and artistic piece of yours that you
were fond of?

A. I loved a bunch of things, not just drawing and reading, but lots of mischief and play as well. In
school I was in detention a lot. I remember watching Gulgee sahib paint when I was a kid, and it
was enchanting, almost like he was in a trance. And he was very free spirited, something that I
didnt see a lot of, growing up in Peshawar. I think that stuck with me.
B. I dont really have favorites from my work. Im more about the process, and the things Ive
learned, rather than the end result, and thinking back I was like that as a kid too. Once the
drawing was done I just moved on to something else. Used to love drawing the Ninja Turtles!

MSK: Q3: Your roots are from Peshawar. Is the artwork that centers upon cool Peshawari boys and
woman done to break the negative stereotypes ( terrorism) ?

Not really. Im not trying to make any political statements, although that might be inevitable because of
background. Im just trying to describe things as I see them.
MSK : Q4: When Omar Gillani is not working on his art , is he like roaming around in the spaces of cities
to gather inspiration ? And do you believe traveling makes one think out of the box? (As far as I am
concerned they come out of a black galaxy there and then in the spur of moment without being
forced)

I love roaming around. Unstructured walks are one of my favorite hobbies. Ill see some simple thing,
like the way a cat sits on a wall, or a couple chat with each other, or a piece of rusted machinery with
exposed wiring, and itll trigger ideas that wouldnt have come to me had I been sitting in a room by
myself.

MSK: Q5 : Do you think studying engineering made you think and focus more clearly rather being all
over the place in terms of creative zone ( For example famous singer and actor like Fawad Khans
background is also in engineering)

I think so. Its also made me a little cavalier, in that Im not too concerned about being considered a
good artist or a bad artist according to the prescribed definitions youd find if you stayed within
artistic circles. Instead I treat painting almost as engineering design problems, which works better for
me.

MSK: Q6: If you have to rate your artistic creations , which one is your favourite and which one is not?
And the idea behind those. Like do you research and read or its all natural zone? B ) Any playlist or
specific thing you do before you create those expressions of art?

I dont really have favorites. Each one is a specific journey that teaches me particular things, and so I
appreciate them all. One of my favorites is the cyborg beggar, mostly because it turned out exactly how I
had imagined it. B. Yeah I usually have some music playing in the background, and Ive found it does
affect how I approach the process.

MSK: Q7: It seems like you make a conscious effort to showcase Pakistani historical narrative in its roots
through cultural spaces and surrealist forms like can we say you take your inspiration the way Salavdar
Dali did? Is it intentional on your part to bring Pakistan in a progressive state in your work? ( He was
always breaking the rules of Art if there were any back then)

Thats a great compliment, putting me and Dali sahib in the same sentence! But he was a surrealist and
Im not. I do try to present a unique vision of Pakistan, and I do try to do work that is quirky/unique, and
progressive, so in that sense there are some parallels.

MSK: Q8: If given an opportunity, would you work as an illustrator to design the book covers because
publishing company demands people like you who are unconventional in their methods?

Yes. Im working on a few book covers for an Australian Sci-fi/fantasy series right now actually.

MSK: Q9: There is a pattern or more like a signature of your illustrations that mostly carry speed cars
like from Jetsons, tracks and old androon public spaces. Is it done intentionally to create a super hero
atmosphere/symbolic representation of our society in the outskirts of the city/town/ village?
I feel like weve been typecast as this backward, terrorist state, which is unfortunate. Weve even
started believing that ourselves. Yet there is a rich, millennia old culture that is grossly
underrepresented, and thats what I enjoy exploring in my work. I do it in the particular lens of sci-
fi/fantasy because of personal interest.

MSK: Q10: What is more difficult to do making portraits, futuristic expressions or 2d games design?

Theyre all challenging in their own ways. I think portraiture might be the most difficult, because the
margin for error is less, but its also the most rewarding and fun.

MSK: Q11: When any client comes up to you, what drives you to say yes and have you ever said NO? If
yes then was there any negative bashing? ( Growing up in Pakistan, there must be a lot )

So far its been okay. At the start I was accepting all sorts of projects, recently Im privileged in that I can
choose what to work on. But people are by and large respectful. A bigger issue in Pakistan is
unprofessionalism and lack of payment, and a general disregard for the art & design field by corporates.
Thats all changing though, which is great.

MSK: Q12: How was the response of the audience at Lahore Music Meet?

Pretty good! I was exhibiting with some great artists, and overall the exhibition had a great vibe. It was
the first time I could see strangers react to my art, which was a lot of fun.

MSK: Q13: Patari s first NFAK artwork of dj Nusrat Fateh Ali khan and to Pataris Tabeer project- how is
the journey ,being their creative director is like? B) Aain bain shaein designer shirts ; whats next for
Omar?

Before Patari was even conceived, its co-founder Khalid Bajwa and I used to brainstorm together for
hours on end on a variety of topics, and so I watched Patari grow from an idea to an amazing company
in a matter of a few years. Its been great working with them and being involved in their projects. They
have a positive spirit and can-do attitude, which is a rarity and wonderful to be around. Aain Baain
Shaain was a fun little experiment, and although it never really took off, it taught me a lot about design,
branding, and out-of-the-box thinking in a desi context. As for whats next, there are a few projects lined
up based around the Pakistan+ series, which should be pretty interesting!

MSK: Q14: Define Omar Gillani in 3 words ( According to Shehzad Roy , this one question of mine is
usually the most difficult to answer)

Wanderer, curious, foodie.

MSK: Q15: A piece of advice to the inspiring digital artists and illustrators would be?

Keep learning, use Google, focus on process, measure your progress against yourself rather than anyone
else.
MSK: Q16: One question you havent been asked yet but you would like to be asked and that can be
about anything? Perhaps any future projects lined up?

I moved to South Korea, and already super excited to see how that changes me as a person and an art
practitioner!

Thank you so much for giving me a detailed insightful journey into the world of artistic ventures, truly
humbled and honored that you managed to give me time. Also do sign a note for me and take a photo
its not for publishing but I collect notes of people I write about and their stories of how they felt like in
person interview since this was not a personal one so do sign it on how your experience was with these
questions and research. : )

Do give me high resolution photos of yourself in candid moments and paintings that are not online yet.. if
you think you would like to showcase those yet.