Darwaza

Role Description As Darwaza grows, we are looking for a Senior Curator based in Islamabad to serve as our artistic anchor in Pakistan: the person who can carry the heart, mission and vision of Darwaza into living exhibitions. This is a role for someone who understands that an exhibition is not a display of objects, but an argument, a conversation and an act of cultural translation. Responsibilities - Curatorial concept & narrative: Develop the intellectual and artistic framework for each exhibition — the central thesis, the selection of artists and works, and the curatorial argument that holds them together. - Artist identification & selection: Discover, evaluate and select contemporary artistic positions from across Pakistan, balancing established names with emerging voices, and ensuring relevance to both the work itself and the European context it will enter. - Artist & studio relationships: Build and maintain trusted relationships with artists, studios, collectives and institutions across Pakistan; negotiate participation, loans and commissions. - Exhibition development: Translate the concept into a concrete exhibition: checklist of works, spatial and sequencing logic, interpretive strategy, and the design of accompanying dialogue formats. - Curatorial texts: Write exhibition texts, wall labels, catalogue essays and interpretive material to a publishable, professional standard, in English (additional languages welcome). - Coordination across borders: Liaise with Darwaza's European partners on feasibility, framing and presentation; advise on what is artistically and logistically realistic. - Loans, provenance & documentation: Oversee condition documentation, provenance clarity, and the curatorial paperwork required for international loans and exhibition. - Dialogue & programming: Conceive and help moderate the talks, panels and conversations that accompany each exhibition — the "dialogue" at the heart of Darwaza. - Representation: Represent Darwaza with credibility and discretion within the Pakistani cultural sector, and help position the forum as a serious, respected partner. Qualifications - A Master's degree in Curatorial Studies, Art History, Fine Art, Museum Studies or a closely related field. A higher degree is an advantage. - A minimum of 5 years of professional curatorial experience, with a portfolio of independently conceived and delivered exhibitions. - A demonstrable track record of curating exhibitions for museums, biennales, major galleries or institutional settings — not solely commercial gallery shows. - Deep, current knowledge of the contemporary Pakistani and wider South Asian art scene: the artists, the discourses, the institutions and the histories. - Excellent written English and the ability to produce curatorial and catalogue texts to a publishable standard. - Proven ability to work independently and lead, while collaborating across cultures, time zones and institutions. - Strong existing relationships within the Pakistani art world and the credibility to deepen them on Darwaza's behalf. Requirements - Experience with international exhibitions or cross-border cultural projects, ideally involving European institutions. - Familiarity with the logistics of international loans — provenance, condition reporting, customs and insurance considerations. - Fluency in Urdu (and ideally one or more regional languages) alongside English. - An existing network among European or diaspora cultural institutions. - Experience conceiving and moderating public dialogue — talks, panels, artist conversations. Benefits - Opportunity to shape the direction of a growing cultural forum. - Engagement with a diverse range of artists and cultural institutions. - Collaborative work environment with a focus on cultural exchange. Company Description Darwaza is a cultural institute based in Hamburg, Germany, dedicated to reimagining South Asian identity through arts, dialogue, and design. As part of our growing creative ecosystem, we are launching a fashion label rooted in the textile heritage, symbolism, and craftsmanship of South Asia. The brand is being developed from Islamabad and aims to connect traditional artisanal techniques with modern design language and global aesthetic codes. Our work is multidisciplinary and narrative-driven — each garment is not only a product but a story. The brand is still in its early stages, offering a rare opportunity for creatives to shape its direction from the ground up. With an international network across Europe and South Asia, Darwaza blends cultural integrity with contemporary relevance — from exhibitions and dialogue forums to fashion, media, and design.