Justice Project Pakistan

We've been waiting for you, an exhibition in collaboration with House Ltd. and Highlight Arts, Justice Project Pakistan presented ‘We’ve Been Waiting For You’, a performance art exhibition that commemorated the 17th annual International Day Against the Death Penalty by exploring themes of power, isolation, and systemic control over life and death. Curated by Natasha Jozi with creative direction by Ryan Van Winkle, the exhibition consisted of 10 performances by 11 artists, each taking a different approach to highlight the plight of prisoners exploited by the system, as well as the broader social and cultural meanings of death, life, security, and safety in a society where violence was monopolized by the state. There was no empirical or even anecdotal evidence to suggest that capital punishment acted as a deterrent to crime. There were, however, instances of wrongful executions in Pakistan where innocent people or those suffering from mental illnesses had been hanged to death. The exhibition was curated at one of the most renowned film studios in Lahore — The Bari Studio. It had a rich history of cultural and artistic relevance, serving as a platform for numerous film sets over the years. The performance exhibition brought art into the public space, where the local community and audiences from all walks of life were able to witness the live works. It was widely appreciated and attended by over 800 guests.