Mahbub Jokhio
Born in 1992, Mahrabpur, Pakistan. Lives and works in Lahore.
2024 “4 by Four“ curated by Quddus Mirza, Articulate Studio, Lahore.
2023 “BNU Global Impact award,” Beaconhouse National University, Lahore.
2019 “Partition Perspectives,” Crossings Gallery, Harvard Ed. Portal, Allston, US.
2018 “In the City of Lost Times,” The Tetley, Leeds, UK.
The artist's invitation is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs Government of Japan, Fiscal Year 2024.
［Residence Program］ Jul 12, 2024〜Sep 21, 2024
Profile
Jokhio's image making practice deals with the nature of images; their claims to objectivity and ability to manipulate meaning, perception and interpretation. Having an idea led practice, Jokhio effortlessly shift between mediums in order to inquire and question image production and reception through subjects ranging from everyday to history, poetics to politics and Art to climate awareness. These investigations often incorporate irony, dark humor and self-referential critiques that locate and decode the image’s capacity to mediate reality and sense of magic realism.
For his residency, inspired by the Japanese tradition of Koinobori, Jokhio plans to conduct his research on this practice and aiming to create an art installation of Koinobori fish flags of extinct fish (for the whole world as family); the project is proposed to make awareness of the world’s lost fish including Japanese extinct and endangered fish species and as a symbol for nature’s resilience against man-made climate change.
“Jese Shahre Madfoon py waqt guzray” 2017.
“For the love of her” 2016. Photo by Jules Lister.
“Portrait of an old woman at the edge of graveyard” 2016.
“Noah’s Dream” 2022.
“A line that remains…” 2023.
“Art for All” 2021.
WINDS OF ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2024 SONGS OF SKY AND EARTH
"Lost from the Dragon Gate" 2024 ©Nagano Satoshi
"Lost from the Dragon Gate" 2024 ©Nagano Satoshi
"Lost from the Dragon Gate" 2024 ©Nagano Satoshi
"Lost from the Dragon Gate" 2024 ©Nagano Satoshi
"Lost from the Dragon Gate" 2024 ©Nagano Satoshi
"Lost from the Dragon Gate" 2024 ©Nagano Satoshi
Interaction Diary
September 15 Art Round Table (Community Space, Artist Cafe Fukuoka)
During the talk event, Mahbub described the process of making 99 carp streamers, each differently designed to represent extinct fish. He also mentioned that the work is a remembrance of those lost fish.
September 13 Finalizing the Work before the Exhibition’s Opening
Mahbub installed 99 koinobori fish (carp streamers) which he made with help of museum volunteers, in front of the Najima-mon(gate) beside Artist Cafe Fukuoka.
September 4 Making New Artwork
The artist completed sewing 99 pieces of koinobori fish after seeing the koinobori windstock in person for the first time in Japan and learning how to use the sewing machine.
August 17 Visit to Yanagawa City
On this day, Mahbub went to the Yanagawa Ariake Sea Aquarium to learn about the extinct fish as well as to see many kinds of fish that live in the Ariake sea. Later he went to the public archive center of Yanagawa to learn about the folklores of Kappa in the area. He also had a chance to see an old residence nearby the rice store, which is not usually open to public except during the spring doll festival, Sagemonmeguri.
August 10 Open Studio
(Artist Cafe Fukuoka)
Visitors joined a guided tour in the studios where artists work during their residency. Mahbub talked about what he did so far in Fukuoka and his plans for the new artwork.
August 3 Welcome Party organized by FAAM Volunteers
Museum volunteers invited Mahbub and other residency artists to a gallery tour of the Asian Pop exhibition and a welcome party where participants were divided into groups and enjoyed table talks.
July 21 Visit to the Wonder Museum Annex Cafe and Gallery “Sanatorium”
Museum director Sumi Takamasa kindly showed around his hospital-themed café and gallery.
July 20 Seeing the Real Koinobori for the First Time
Mahbub saw an actual koinobori print for the first time, an essential element for his new work, donated by another artist Ohgi Kanae.
July 17 Art Tour
On this day, Mahbub visited the Faculty of Art and Design, Kyushu Sangyo University, and also Kyushu Sangyo University Zokei Junior College. He learned about some available facilities and studios inside the university. In the afternoon, he saw the permanent collection exhibition at Fukuoka Art Museum. Later he visited EUREKA, a contemporary art gallery and the art space tetra where he met some of the local artists.
July 14 Kick-off Talk: Mahbub Jokhio/ Rega Ayundya Putri/ Yasuda Yoh/ Urakawa Taishi/ Kamimura Takahiro (Gallery, ACF)
Mahbub introduced some of his previous works, including photography, installation, and video, that referred to history, poetics, politics, Art, and the climate crisis. The artist also mentioned his interest in Koinobori, which looks like fish climbing up the stream of water as if to confront their hardship. He shared his plan to create an installation work themed on extinct fish and those at risk of extinction.
