Unveiling the Visible: Lives and Works of Women Artists of Pakistan is Salima Hashmi’s landmark tribute to the generations of Pakistani women who have shaped the nation’s visual culture. First published in 2002 by ActionAid Pakistan, the 212‑page book reads like a vivid oral history, built almost entirely from interviews conducted over a decade with more than 50 artists spanning three generations .¹ ² ³

- A hidden manifesto – It includes a previously unpublished 1983 manifesto signed by 15 women artists, a bold protest against the Zia‑ul‑Haq regime’s clampdown on artistic freedom .
- Chronological sweep – From early pioneers such as Zubaida Agha and Ana Molka Ahmed to contemporary voices like Naheed Reza and Shahzia Sikander, the book traces five decades of practice, showing how women navigated art education, martial‑law restrictions, and societal expectations .⁴
- Personal stories – Each biographical essay weaves together the artists’ creative drives with the everyday challenges of balancing family, teaching, and activism, offering a deeply human perspective .
- Richly illustrated – Though the text is the core, the volume is peppered with reproductions of paintings, prints, and mixed‑media works that illustrate the evolution of style and theme across the decades .

In short, Unveiling the Visible is both a scholarly survey and an inspiring celebration of resilience, making it essential reading for anyone interested in Pakistani art, gender studies, or the power of visual storytelling.