|
Under one roof
by Robab Rosan
Nazlee Laila Mansur
|
It was a rare opportunity for art lovers to see the contemporary artworks of Bangladesh under one roof. Drik Gallery, in collaboration with the Prince Claus Fund and Mondrian Foundation, in their exhibition displayed the works of old masters, like Zainul Abedin, to the talented younger artists of the country. Besides the artworks, the exhibition also had on display the photographs of the eminent photographers of the country on display.
The weeklong art exhibition titled ‘Contemporary Art of Bangladesh’ was held at the Drik Gallery and the Gallery of Fine Arts of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in the city from March 13.
The exhibitors went to great lengths to create an exceptional exposition as they had no display rare and sometimes ever before seen artworks by renowned artists of the country. In many instances the artworks were borrowed from the private collection of collectors. By also exhibiting the works of young artists, the event was aptly able to portray the evolution of Bangladeshi art over the years.
Though the country has a long history of art, with its roots in the rich artworks of Pala dynasty of the eight century, the rise of contemporary art began from the founding of an art school in Dhaka in 1948. The country has a long tradition of folk and Islamic art as well.
At the same time, works of the living legends like Murtaja Baseer, Aminul Islam, Shahabuddin, Syed Jahangir, Abdus Shakoor Shah, and Samarjit Roy Choudhury were also on display among others.
To see the evolution of the Bangladeshi art over the past decades, the viewers saw the works of Kalidas Karmakar, Shishir Bhatacharjee, Mohammad Iqbal, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Kuhu, Nasim Ahmed Nadvi, Golam Faruque and other younger promising artists.
Whilst comparing the differing styles works of different decades it becomes obvious that the younger generation of artists were more focused on social commentary than the masters ever were. Whilst the legendary artists mainly depicted the natural beauty of the country and the humble life of the countrymen, the younger artists brought in socio-cultural aspects into their work and trappings of city life.
It can be said that the changes in styles, techniques and forms between the different decades are due to the increasing influence of western art on our young artists.
The photographs of pioneering photographers of Bangladeshi photo-graphy like Golam Kashem Daddy, Naibuddin Ahmed and Manzoor Alam Beg only enriched the exhibition. The exhibition also included the photographs of Rashid Talukdar, Bijon Sarkar and Nasir Ali Mamun. The section could have been more attractive if organisers displayed the works of the younger photographer, who have earned much fame for their skills in the modern world of photography.
|
Also
|
