Murree Museum Artist's Residency

“Murree was selected as a convalescent home for British troops in 1849 soon after the British annexed Punjab. The 3.5 miles long Murree Ridge (actually Mahri) was a summer pasture for 13 villages in the valleys below. The first British invalids to Murree were transported into camps in 1850. Permanent construction of barracks and other buildings started in 1851. Soon after the Hill Station was opened to British entrepreneurs. Large estates were sold in 1860s. It became a bustling Hill resort in 1870s. For the British Murree became a town to escape hot and humid summer months in the plains. By 1920s the British felt that they would have to leave India and started to sell their properties in Murree, which were purchased by well to do Indians. 1947 was a traumatic event for Murree. The British, Hindus and Sikhs hurriedly left the town. These people were the backbone of Murree economy. Worse was to come when locals burnt Hindu and Sikh properties. Murree slid into depression.” – Prof Farakh A. Khan.

Muree has a rich albeit oft ignored history. The idea of the Murree Museum was conceived and established by late Prof. Dr. Farakh A. Khan to fill this gap. He hoped to document, articulate and thereby preserve this history, evoke wonder in its many tales, and eventually to facilitate in the ownership of this heritage which would
present an agentative and empowered role to the local individual. The role of the artist will be to assist the Museum, particularly with community outreach programs. Moreover, the Murree Museum also encourages independent art projects as defined by the artist.

Residency season: Time frame allotted during summer.