Most of Karachi's private art galleries are in Clifton, and three of them are easy to combine in one afternoon: Canvas Gallery, Koel Gallery and Chawkandi Art Gallery. All three are commercial galleries that also welcome people who only want to look, and each publishes its own opening hours. This guide gives each a reason to go and one practical tip, then covers the public buildings that show art too.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Clifton, mostly around Block 4 and Block 9 |
| Canvas Gallery | Mon to Sat, 11 am to 7 pm; closed Sunday |
| Koel Gallery | Mon to Sat, 11 am to 8 pm |
| Chawkandi Art Gallery | Every day, 8 am to 7 pm |
| Entry fee | None published by any of the three; confirm when you call |
| Time needed | 30 to 60 minutes each |
Hours are taken from each gallery's own contact page and can change around holidays and between exhibitions, so a phone call before you set out is sensible.
Chawkandi Art Gallery
Why go. It opened in 1985, founded by Zohra Husain, and is one of the older galleries in the city. It shows work by senior Pakistani artists as well as newer names, and holds talks, book launches and exhibitions through the year.
Where. 105 Marine Point, DC-1, Block 9, Clifton.
Practical tip. It is the only one of the three that lists seven-day opening, so it is the safest choice on a Sunday. Its published hours also start earliest, at 8 am.
Canvas Gallery
Why go. Canvas focuses on contemporary Pakistani artists and shows paintings, sculpture and works on paper. It is one of the larger private spaces in the city, and exhibitions change regularly, so the show you see may be quite different from one a month earlier.
Where. D-40/1, Block 4, Clifton (Kehkashan).
Practical tip. It is closed on Sundays. The gallery's website lists two landline numbers, and it is worth asking what is currently on before you go, as the ground floor is used for the changing exhibitions.
Koel Gallery
Why go. Koel shows visual art and craft together, and it sells textiles such as ajrak scarves as well as paintings, so it works as a gallery visit and a gift stop in one. It is run by the artist Noorjehan Bilgrami.
Where. F-42/2, Block 4, Clifton.
Practical tip. It stays open an hour later than Canvas, until 8 pm Monday to Saturday, which makes it the best choice for the end of an afternoon. Koel and Canvas are both in Block 4, so they can be walked or driven between in a few minutes.
Other places to see art
Not every art visit needs a commercial gallery. Two public buildings in the city are worth pairing with the galleries above:
- Frere Hall in Saddar has exhibition space and a garden. Our Frere Hall guide has the practical details.
- Karachi's museums include art among their collections; see our guide to museums in Karachi for what each holds.
Directories also list further galleries in Clifton and DHA, such as Art Scene and Artciti, but we have only confirmed the three above against the galleries' own pages.
How to plan a gallery afternoon
- Start at Canvas or Koel in Block 4 after lunch, once both are open at 11 am.
- Choose a weekday if you want a quiet room and a chance to talk to whoever is staffing it. Galleries are busiest on opening nights of a new show.
- Finish at Chawkandi in Block 9, which is open until 7 pm every day.
- Take a cab between them rather than walking. Clifton distances look short on a map, but the roads are busy and shade is limited in the middle of the day.
If you want to go to an opening night, follow the galleries' social media pages, since exhibition dates are announced there and change from season to season.
Are galleries worth it for visitors?
If you like painting, calligraphy or contemporary work and already have a day in Clifton, yes. They are quiet, air-conditioned and unhurried, which counts for something in Karachi in summer.
If you have only one or two days in the city, put the heritage buildings and the coast first. Our Karachi heritage walk and guide to places to visit in Karachi will use that time better, and a gallery can fill a gap at the end. More ideas are on our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
Are art galleries in Karachi free to enter?
None of Canvas, Koel or Chawkandi publish an entry fee, and visitors generally walk in to look. Confirm by phone if you are travelling a long way, and expect that prices apply to the works for sale, not to entry.
Which Karachi art gallery is open on Sundays?
Chawkandi Art Gallery lists opening every day from 8 am to 7 pm. Canvas Gallery is closed on Sundays, and Koel Gallery lists Monday to Saturday.
Can I buy art at these galleries?
Yes, they are commercial galleries, and prices are set by the artist and gallery. You are not expected to buy anything, and it is fine to ask about a work without committing.
Where are most of Karachi's galleries?
Mostly in Clifton and the neighbouring parts of DHA. Canvas and Koel are both in Block 4 of Clifton, and Chawkandi is in Block 9.
How long should I spend at a gallery?
Thirty to sixty minutes each is enough for a normal exhibition. Allow more if there is a talk or an opening on that day.
