Impressions of Ustad Mohammad Aziz Vol I "View of Foladi Valley" By Ustad Mohammad Aziz Oct.-Dec. 1999 Lemar-Aftaab Ustad Mohammad Aziz was born in Kabul in 1915. From an early age, he showed an interest in drawing. As a young man he studied art and graduated from the Sanahi School of Art in Kabul. After graduation, he became a teacher at Ghazi High School. Soon after, he became principal of Tekhnic High School. In 1950, he advanced his art and photography education by studying in the United States. Upon his return to Kabul, he was appointed Deputy Director of Kabul Museum. As Deputy Director he ventured on expeditions with French and other European archaeologists and made many discoveries. Later on in his life, he devoted his time in the Ministry of Education to developing programs in the fight against illiteracy. Ustad Mohammad Aziz was the recipient of a number of awards in art and in photography as well. His paintings were mostly in the impressionistic manner in the medium of watercolor. These paintings depict rural scenery and portraits of rural people. In many of his portraits of rural people it is the eyes, which are most distinguishable: uncertain, melancholy and full of uneasiness and anguish. This is perhaps a genuine depiction of the subjects and of their lives and the society in which they reside. Of the works of Ustad Mohammad Aziz that remain, most are in the hands of family members who brought them out of Afghanistan to the West. However, there are some works of photography and paintings that remain in Kabul. During his lifetime he sold many of his works to European and American patrons. As a result, his paintings are in private collections around the world. Although his children left Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, he remained there due to poor health. Leaving an impressive legacy behind, in fall of 1990, Ustad Mohammad Aziz passed away in his native Kabul. [click on the images to view paintings] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Related Links: The Art of Ustad Mashal By Zaheda Ghani (July-Sept. 1998) The Paintings of A. Shokour Khesrawi (Jan-March 1998) Cross Roads of Asia: The Afghan Art Exhibition By Yamah Ghiassi (April-Sept. 1999) Copyright © 1999 Aftaabzad Publications. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form without permission.