NEW DELHI: Portraits of prominent Australian Prime Ministers Alfred Deakin, Robert Menzies, Harold Holt, John Mcewen, John Gorton, William Mcmahon, Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, and Donald Bradman (sportsman) through the 20th century were showcased at a function held here at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner. The portraits have been made by Kashmiri artist Ishfar Ali. Born in the Zadibal region of Srinagar in 1984, he joined the J&K Police as a Constable in 2011 after obtaining a bachelor in Fine Arts at Kashmir University. He was deeply influenced by renowned artist Masood Hussain. His work has begun to draw the attention of art enthusiasts across India and internationally as well.
His art was widely appreciated and commended at the function held in honour of the visiting Australian Parliamentary Delegates in New Delhi. The Australian High Commissioner Ms. Harinder Sidhu and Advisor to the J&K Chief Minister, Amitabh Mattoo, who is also Honorary Director of the Australia India Institute Delhi appreciated his work which highlighted broad sources of inspiration and an appreciation of the power of art to build bridges between communities.