The First Pakistani artist to open an art gallery in Karachi, Bashir Mirza is no less than an icon in Pakistani art history. Before joining NCA (formerly Mayo School of Arts), his parents demanded that he start earning some money and knowing of his interest in drawing, suggested he become apprenticed to a signboard painter.

The first painting Bashir Mirza produced at the NCA, Shakir Ali preserved in his own collection and Bashir took great pride in this fact, mentioning it often. The "Lonely Girl" painting series was shown and gifted to the Seoul Olympic Art Museum when he was invited by the Seoul Olympic Committee.

He is remembered by his contemporaries as being particular about his clothes, always neat and totally focused on...