Two works by the celebrated British-Pakistani painter Anwar Jalal Shemza (1928–1985) have emerged for sale at Hansons Auctioneers’ Norfolk saleroom.
Both were acquired directly from the artist by the vendor’s parents who had been part of Pakistan’s artistic set during 1960s.
The friendship continued when they moved to the UK in the early 1970s, by which time Shemza and his family, were living in the Midlands.
The vendor said: “I was a child, so I don’t remember exactly when they were acquired but I can recall both works hanging in my parents’ London home. They went to lots of exhibitions and bought several pieces directly from artists.”
The first work going under the hammer on January 23, is an ink on paper, called A Royal Couple from Shemza’s well-known Chessmen series; it has an estimate of £10,000-£15,000.
It is signed and dated 1965 in Urdu, when the artist was living in the West Midlands.
The second, called Untitled, is an ink and collage on paper and gold card, which is signed and dated 1973 in Urdu. It has an estimate of £3,000-£5,000 at the same sale.
Anwar Jalal Shemza was born in Shimla, India, in 1929 to Kashmiri and Punjabi parents. Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the family moved to Lahore, where Shemza studied disciplines including miniature painting at the Mayo School of Art.
As well as being an artist and graphic designer, he published several short novels in the 1950s, edited an Urdu literary journal, and ran a graphic studio.
He was also one of the eight founding members of Lahore Art Circle (LAC) which invigorated modern art in Pakistan.
In 1956 Shemza was awarded a scholarship by the British Council to attend the Slade School of Fine Art.
But, despite his success in Pakistan, his works were poorly received in the UK at a time when Islamic art was being dubbed “purely functional”.
In 1958 he married fellow artist Mary Taylor and, in 1961, after a brief return to Pakistan, moved to Stafford in the West Midlands, to be near her parents.
Shemza worked as an art teacher at local schools, including Ounsdale High School and Weston Road High School, while running a studio in the evenings and weekends.
Hansons Auctioneers’ Kevin Lines said: “It was in Stafford Shemza started his Chessmen series. He used the pieces including kings, queens and pawns, to explore themes of hierarchy, power and identity, and as well as commenting on themes colonialism.”
Shemza continued to live and work in the Midlands for the rest of his life until his sudden death from a heart attack in 1985.
Since then appreciation of Shemza’s contribution to the art history of Pakistan and Britain has continued to grow around the world, with his work celebrated in two ground-breaking shows in 2009.
In 2021 City Wall sold for $231,250 (£172,000) at Christie’s in New York – thought to be a record for the artist.
In 2023 a work from the Chessmen series sold for £35,840 in Bonhams, London.
Kevin Lines continued: “Shemza’s Chessmen series and related chess-inspired works are continuing to create a stir among collectors at auction and we are privileged to have two appearing in this month’s sale.”
Auction Details
Auction: Hansons Norfolk Antiques & Interiors Auction: including Silver, Jewellery & Watches
Auction date: 23rd January 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons Norfolk Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
