Ghotki-based artist Seffy Soomro has successfully recovered his ‘lost’ paintings from Frere Hall, thanks to a social media campaign that prompted action from the Sindh government. In a heartfelt video shared on Facebook, Soomro expressed his happiness while showcasing the artwork he had reclaimed.
“I am at Frere Hall to collect my paintings today. You can see I’m here, and I’ve successfully gotten them back,” he said, clearly emotional. He expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him, highlighting that their voices made this achievement possible.
Soomro also revealed that he has requested a royalty fee from Frere Hall due to the unauthorized use of his artwork for various events and dramas. “I want to thank everyone who amplified my voice and helped me get my paintings back,” he added.
His situation has sparked vital discussions about artists’ rights and the misuse of creative works in public spaces.
For context, Soomro submitted his artwork for an exhibition at Frere Hall in 2017 but never received it back. He was informed that the paintings were lost, only to later discover them in 2024 during an episode of the popular TV show Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.
Outraged, Soomro took to social media to accuse Frere Hall of misappropriating his work, which drew significant attention. In response, the Sindh culture minister ordered an inquiry.
The investigation concluded there was a “misunderstanding” between Soomro and the exhibition center. The report indicated that Soomro had not demonstrated a serious interest in reclaiming his paintings; however, it confirmed that his artwork had not been returned or properly stored, but had instead been moved around within Frere Hall over the years.
Soomro criticized the authorities for conducting a biased investigation. Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was among many who raised concerns about how the Sindh government handled the case.
