Since ancient times, artists have used wood bark, herbs, minerals and plants to produce colours, with the idea of bringing an original texture on canvas. Following the footsteps of maestros in the world of fine arts, eminent and emerging artists of the country are showcasing their compositions, prepared using natural colours, in an exhibition titled ‘Catechu Makes brown’. The group art exhibition featuring 28 paintings is going on at Bengal Art Lounge in Gulshan.
Participating artists at the exhibition include painters like Muhammad Kibria, Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, Rafiqun Nabi, Kalidas Karmakar, as well as young artists such as Nazia Andeleeb Preema, Bipasha Hayat, Najma Akther, Juneer Kibria and M M Maizuddin.
Natural paints are easily made at home from materials such as marigold, tea, cutch (catechu) tree bark and charcoal. They are also economical. The results of the combination of the originality of nature with artistic creativity are beautiful, as can be seen in the displayed art works. Paintings using natural colour not only have artistic value, but are also eco-friendly.
Mohammad Kibria’s untitled work depicts the frenzied nature of mother earth, which is under threat of extinction.
Kalidas Karmakar’s composition, portraying a donkey, represents the artist’s sense of humour as he divides its body into two different canvases, somehow demonstrating the foolishness of this innocent creature. ‘Indigo’, done on handmade paper, is also a mentionable work by the artist. Rafiqun Nabi painted a buffalo on paper using brown colour on white canvas. The wrath of the animal has been portrayed skilfully by the artist. The shades of the painting have a distinct earthy feel to them.
Samarjit Roy used deep brown and red colours to portray his emotions in abstract form in a composition. Young artists have also painted on different themes relevant to our surroundings, to add freshness to their works using a new medium.
The exhibition was inaugurated by HE Dr Urs Herren on May 4 and will remain open for all, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, till May 18, to celebrate the ingenuity of nature and artistic creativity.