Ustad Abdul Majid

Artist Statement
My work explores the quiet beauty and tranquility of nature through the language of classical landscape painting. Working primarily in oil on canvas, I draw inspiration from Tonalism and the techniques of the Old Masters, using light, shadow, and atmosphere to create a sense of mood and emotional depth. I am particularly fascinated by the way light transforms a landscape—whether it is sunlight filtering through a canopy of trees or the gentle glow of a fading sky at dusk. These moments inspire me to capture not only what is seen, but also what is felt. In my rural scenes, soft light and subtle atmospheric effects help turn ordinary landscapes into timeless reflections of peace, simplicity, and connection with nature. Through my paintings, I hope to encourage viewers to pause, slow down, and experience the quiet sense of wonder and calm that exists within the natural world

Biography
Ustad Abdul Majid (b. 1947, Lahore) is a Pakistani painter born into a renowned family of artists. He received his early training from his father and his grandfather, the celebrated Ustad Allah Bakhsh. Deeply influenced by this artistic environment, he developed a strong foundation in classical painting while gradually shaping his own individual style. Majid specializes in oil and acrylic painting and landscape art, focusing on nature as his primary subject. His work is known for its atmospheric depth, rich textures, and sensitive use of color to express light, mood, and emotion. He believes that art not only reflects nature but also completes it through imagination and interpretation. He exhibited widely in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and later in the United States, where he continued his artistic practice after relocating in 1988. During his time in the U.S., he actively participated in numerous international exhibitions and earned several awards and honors, gaining global recognition for his work. Some of his works are also housed in the Lahore Museum and National Army collections. In 1974, he founded the Ustad Allah Bakhsh Academy, which he later re-established in New York. In his later career, he shifted toward socially engaged themes, particularly highlighting the struggles of working children, before developing a unique abstract landscape style inspired by rock formations and geological forms. His later works reflect a philosophical exploration of time, nature, and memory, establishing him as a distinctive voice in contemporary landscape painting.