Aadil's attractive feat in oils

Aadil's works fearturing an Egyptian Goddess (L) and Shakespeare (R)

Aadil is interested in books on Egyptian history, fine arts, literature and anything related to his work as a painter. He works at a centre for autistic children in Mohammedpur, and his art materials are sent to him from USA by his maternal uncle, who shares his passion for fine arts. The credit for his overcoming his shortcoming as a differently- abled artist, goes to his mother Dr Leady Hoque -- who has stood by him through the vicissitudes of his teenage years.

The talented Aadil has gone about his work like an adult painter. He has executed each of his vast paintings e.g. a water-colour running like some giant scroll, which was completed within a few hours. The others too, seen in the vast gallery, had been done in a remarkably short span of time. Inspired by Hamiduzzaman Khan, he has done some sculptures too, which are included in the display. Amalgamating the present with the past-- in doing paintings with his quicksilver imagination and talent, Aadil has presented a treasure-trove of highly imaginative paintings in oil, acrylic, mixed-media and water-colour.

The paintings appeared like scintillating, bejewelled creations, set against the backdrop of the pristine encasing frames of paler, matching shades. The compositions appeared balanced, with a magic of their own. They were so compelling that one could gaze at them, each, for hours and still not be surfeit. For one so young, the creations were compelling. One envisages that Aadil's works in future, with their passion and inspiration, will be more mature. Bengal Gallery has never been known to patronise an artist so young. This endeavour by the gallery deserves praise.

The paintings are a series based on the artist's experiences in life. The one on Shakespeare is inspired by his Midsummer Night's Dream. When Aadil was back in Oxford, at a very early age, he loved the illustrations in a book called Shakespeare and another, called Animated Tales. One sees the protagonists and some of the lesser characters like Queen Titania, King Oberon and Bottom, Puck going about their work of total theatrical enjoyment. Here one witnessed Aadil's learning and imagination at work.

The entry on Hamiduzzaman Khan, a mixed-media, presented the artist at work in his youth. This painting was based on an old photograph. This was amalgamated with a present portraiture done again in mixed media. Carefully and colourfully combined, the final effect was thought provoking.

One of the paintings, an oil on canvas, presented the ancient Egyptian romance of Antony and Cleopatra with impact. It presented the royal heyday on a gently floating barge, seen against an overwhelming turquoise base. It presented the well-known idyll with the inclusion of overpowering images of gods and goddesses -- all done with the immaculate precision of a goldsmith.