Art, Tech, & Justice: ‘Seen & Unseen’ Exhibition Confronts the Digital Minefield at PNCA

In a powerful convergence of high art and high-stakes advocacy, the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad has launched the exhibition ‘Seen & Unseen,’ transforming its galleries into a battleground against technology-facilitated abuse. As the centerpiece of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the show is a direct, urgent confrontation with the dark side of the digital world.

🟠 SEEN & UNSEEN

An Art Exhibition featuring Pakistani visual artists as part of the ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based
Violence’ campaign.

Exhibition at PNCA Islamabad
3-13 December 2025 pic.twitter.com/PlsZcdIfXR

— United Nations Pakistan – اقوام متحدہ پاکستان (@UNinPak) November 27, 2025

The Invisible Threat

The title, Seen & Unseen, speaks to the exhibition’s mission: to visually articulate the crisis of gender violence in both its traditional, physical forms and its insidious new digital manifestations. Curated under the esteemed guidance of art historian and Honorary Advisor Prof. Salima Hashmi, the exhibition features works by 19 contemporary artists from across Pakistan.

Using painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media, these artists give voice to the experiences of women and girls facing cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, and deepfakes. This focus directly amplifies the UNiTE Campaign’s 2025 theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence,” highlighting how platforms designed for empowerment have become new spaces for silence and shame.

Art Meets High-Level Policy

The urgency of the exhibition was underscored by the high-level attendance at its opening ceremony, which served as a policy launchpad. The event was chaired by Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister of Human Rights, alongside Pernille Ironside, the Acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan.

The Minister acknowledged that technology has transformed the nature of abuse, and that Pakistan’s laws and social responses must urgently adapt. The government’s commitment to strengthening legal protection and expanding access to justice was reiterated, emphasizing that online spaces should not threaten women but help them thrive.

This exhibition, accompanied by the launch of the UNFPA’s new reel series, Salma Lives, is a vital cultural statement. It asserts that the creative community, backed by institutional power, is on the front lines, translating complex digital threats into visible art that demands action and accountability from both tech companies and lawmakers. By hosting this critical dialogue, the PNCA affirms art’s indispensable role as a catalyst for social justice in the digital age.

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