Mumtaz Hussain, a prominent Pakistani American author and filmmaker has been honored with the prestigious Global Leadership 2023 Award for his outstanding contributions.
The Lion Club and James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation bestowed the award on Hussain at a glittering ceremony in New York, which recognized creative talent from America’s mainstream and diverse communities.
Hussain is regarded as a modern-day polymath on the art scene, with his work spanning the realms of art, films, and literature.
“I am happy that I have been able to make an impression on the big New York art scene, both as a Pakistani and as an American,” he said.
He started pursuing his passion for the creative arts in 1981, when he earned admission to the esteemed National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore, Pakistan. His early accomplishments include embellishing the architectural masterpiece of Sheikh Zaid bin Sultan, leaving an indelible mark on Karachi’s skyline.
He polished his artistic skills in London in the late 1980s. Afterward, he settled in New York, where he immersed himself in graphic design at the School of Visual Art and further honed his filmmaking skills.
The award committee notes that Mumtaz’s influence has extended far beyond his individual pursuits, as evidenced by his pivotal roles as an art director for esteemed brands like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Simon & Schuster.
Notably, his directorial prowess was showcased in the enlightening talk show “Ask a Lawyer,” which he helmed for Channel 9, leaving an indelible mark in the media landscape.
He has also continued to produce literary works, which include his recently published collection of short stories Portrait in Words.
His other works include the Urdu book of short stories, “GOOL AINAK KA PECHAY, LAFZON MAIN TASVARIAN, PELI PATI CHUNA KUM, MUMTAZ HUSSAIN DIAN CHUWIAN KAHINIAN (GURMUKHI).
Hussain’s art films, notably “Soul of Civilization,” have graced the halls of renowned institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Queens Museum of Art, Stony Brook University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Connecticut, showcasing his profound impact on the global cultural landscape.
His first feature film, “Art=(Love) 2,” has garnered significant international acclaim and recognition, cementing Mumtaz’s position as a dynamic force in contemporary cinema.
Mumtaz Hussain’s opinion pieces on art have been published in The News, Friday Times, and Views News Today.
