Amjad Hadi Yousafzai
PESHAWAR : Pakistani visual artist and graphic designer Ahsan Zeb from Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has earned international recognition after being selected among 200 artists and designers from 31 countries for the prestigious international exhibition, “Pinocchio: A Contemporary Metaphor.”
The exhibition marks the 200th birth anniversary of renowned Italian writer Carlo Collodi, born in Florence in 1826, whose celebrated literary work The Adventures of Pinocchio has inspired generations across the world.
Ahsan Zeb, an Assistant Professor at Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST), Haripur, and a PhD scholar in Art and Design, will represent Pakistan at the international exhibition. His name has also been officially included in the list of selected artists and designers at Museo MAGMA, Italy.
Titled “200 for Carlo Collodi,” the international project invited artists and graphic designers to reinterpret Pinocchio through contemporary poster design and visual communication, exploring themes of honesty, freedom, responsibility, education and human values.
The selected artworks represent 31 countries and will be exhibited at prestigious cultural venues in Italy, Argentina and Cuba from October 2026 to January 2027. The programme includes Museo MAGMA, Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires and Espacios Creativos in Havana, among other venues.
The project is organised by Museo MAGMA and CARTACANTA APS in collaboration with international cultural institutions, Italian cultural organisations and the Collodi Bicentennial Committee.
With more than 15 years of professional experience in visual arts, graphic design and academia, Ahsan Zeb has participated in various national and international creative initiatives. His work explores the connection between cultural identity, traditional visual heritage and contemporary design.
His selection is a proud achievement for Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the growing international presence of Pakistani artists and designers in the global creative community.
