Laila Sharmeen's works in Netherlands and Italy

Bangladeshi artist Laila Sharmeen will showcase her recent mixed media on paper series “Datta Dayadvam Damyata: Shantih Shantih Shantih” at the Amsterdam International Art Fair and Biennale of Chianciano. in the historic city of Tuscany (Italy), says a press release.

Her current series is deeply influenced by the ancient philosophical text Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, containing Hindu and Buddhist concepts, particularly those about the three duties of each individual: Datta, Dayadvam, Damyata, meaning give, compassion and control.

The two-day Amsterdam International Art Fair opened on August 28 at Amsterdam's architectural landmark Beurs van Berlage. The nine-day Biennale of Chianciano opens on September 5 in the picturesque city of Tuscany, also regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance. 

Laila's works shows both a modernist preoccupation with time, flux, the loss of a center and disappearance of faith and a concern for beauty and truth, imagination and solitude. Deeply perturbed by the materialistic greed and alienation of modern man, the hollowness of modern civilization, the clash of civilization, apartheid, religious bigotry, she seeks solace in the beauty and harmony of nature.