Abdur Razzaque, a master sculptor passes away

Self portrait (top) by Abdur Razzaque and one of his sculptures

Razzaque was basically an abstract and geometric artist in his sculptural work. He was a purist in painting and print making too. He worked in oil, acrylic and water colour during the 50s, 60s and later, he got his post graduate education from Iowa, USA in 1957 and worked under the famous print maker Mauricio Lasansky.

Proficient in graphics, sculpture and painting, he is especially remembered for his role in establishing the Department of Sculpture in Fine Arts, DU, in 1959. He was famous for his smooth, concave, abstract work in the modern concave style. His Face of an old woman, 1966, is a powerful wooden work. His metal sculptures

are generally compositions balancing vertical and horizontal planes and spaces.

Although sculpture was close to his heart, he also spent a lot of time in painting. Razzaque said, "I have always remained close to nature, which is ever changing and powerful. I have tried to learn the rules of nature. I am interested in knowing life fully and portraying it. I arrange form and space with colour, line and shapes. My work develops gradually, experiencing many changes." One of his memorable works is The Garden done in yellow, red and blackish brown. It was exhibited in the Fifth Asian Biennale.

He had six solo shows in USA and Bangladesh. His joint shows, 30 in number, were held at USA, UK, Germany, Poland, Norway, Turkey, Iran, Brazil, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. He participated in numerous Asian Biennales arranged by the Shilpakala Academy.

He won the Ekushe Padak in 1987, and the Bangla Charu Shilpi Shangsad Honour in 1989.