The home and studio of murdered Pakistani Modernist artist Ismail Gulgee has been transformed into a museum by his son, installation artist Amin Gulgee. Opened in February 2025 in central Karachi, the museum preserves the late artist's work, including his Expressionist calligraphic paintings and later abstract canvases, which had been locked away since Gulgee, his wife, and a maid were killed in 2007 by their driver and an accomplice. The building, designed by architect Nayyar Ali Dada, now houses a carefully curated collection that traces Gulgee's evolution from formal calligraphy to vibrant abstraction.
The Gulgee Museum is one of several private house-museums emerging in Pakistan, offering a vital solution to preserving cultural heritage when state institutions lag behind private collectors. By opening the space to researchers, school groups, and art lovers, Amin Gulgee has rescued his father's legacy from obscurity, as much of South Asia's Modern art remains hidden in private collections. The museum provides rare public access to a significant body of work, though its long-term sustainability will depend on securing donors and grants.