‘Golden Man of Islamabad’ brings peculiar street art of living statues to Pakistan capital

ISLAMABAD: When 18-year-old Mohammed Ahsan arrived within the Pakistani capital to discover a job, little did he know {that a} collection of coincidences would quickly flip him into town’s new and distinctive efficiency artist, the “Golden Man of Islamabad.”
Painted from head to toe in gold, Ahsan stands on avenue corners attracting appreciable and optimistic consideration, not simply from passersby, but in addition from authorities. Whereas his form of efficiency is just not a brand new factor — “dwelling statues,” as they’re recognized, are widespread in Europe and lots of different Asian nations — Ahsan is the primary one to be noticed in Islamabad.
He has gained reputation ever since Islamabad’s deputy commissioner, Hamza Shafqat, posted his picture on social media final week, granting him particular permission to carry out across the metropolis.
Initially from Karachi, Ahsan traveled to Islamabad a number of months in the past to search for work. However regardless of numerous efforts, he couldn’t discover employment, and on a day when he was about to surrender, he started to browse movies on TikTok to cheer himself up. It was there that he noticed clips of Girjesh Gaud, who performs as a dwelling statue in Mumbai, India.

“He spray paints his garments and places golden powder on his face and I believed to do the identical,” Ahsan informed Arab Information on a busy intersection of Islamabad’s Jinnah Market. “Quickly after, I began performing as a dwelling statue and the general public response was very optimistic.”
His gleaming outfit is full with a golden smartphone and earbuds. He additionally carries a golden backpack.
College kids are his greatest followers and wish to take photographs with him, although he additionally attracts fruit distributors, pedestrians and automotive drivers, who usually pull over to shake his hand.
“I can’t inform how many individuals cease and take photographs with me,” he laughed. “A lot of them make movies and a few even ask me to go to their house since they need me to be in photos with their household. Total, it has been a optimistic expertise for me.”
The youngest of seven siblings, Ahsan mentioned that he desires to spice up his reputation by way of social media to have the ability to help his household.
“That is what I do now and I hope to proceed with this,” he mentioned. “I wish to make folks smile.”
As folks pose with Ahsan, they drop cash right into a field that he retains by his toes.
Sheikh Mohammad Zahid, one among a number of individuals who pulled over to satisfy the golden man throughout his interview, informed Arab Information that he had seen Islamabad’s first dwelling statue on social media.
“I’ve by no means seen one thing like this earlier than,” he mentioned. “I ended simply to observe him extra intently.”
Ikram Yunis, a supply driver, mentioned that Ahsan was “bringing happiness to town.”
He added: “It is vitally good to see him. We love our house Islamabad and he’s including to its magnificence.”