Art extravaganza with panache
Hamiduzzaman Khan's paintings dwell on nature in two pieces. The translucent and spontaneous watercolours give the effect of shining stainless steel pieces. They are called Nature 1 and Nature 2."I've thrown in colours in a fun type way," Hamid says, adding, "The mingling of the gray colours forms the base of the vermilion, actual shindur (used for teep on the forehead). The scale is large but sophistication is maintained." The portrait presents two more overwhelming images ( in watercolour).He says that he first sketches the drawing or paints in his better known sculpture, and thus painting comes naturally to him. Drawing, he says, is the basis of all art.
Abdus Shakoor Shah, who has six entries, has brought in folk art from the Mymensingh Ballads - "once more with feelings". However, three of the paintings do not contain any accompanying calligraphy, with poetry --elaborating on the themes. Some of them are different from his usual work as the use of colours are limited." I elaborate on a theme, with my own interpretations and imagination. The portraits bear the thoughts of the subjects. I've used only black and white," he asserts. The Baroda University and Bengal School have left their influence on them.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Swapan Chowdhury's abstract works have their inspiration in nature. Done on handmade paper, the experimental paintings have used graphics along with water-colour. Collage too has been introduced in the works. "Nature is my subject," he insists." I transform them into my thoughts and passion. I've arranged little, varied, forms in different places. Whatever one sees in landscapes around, in hills, dales, rivers and skies are included as relief forms, in the mixed-media paintings ."
Sculpture images are brought in four stirring pieces by Ivy Zaman. In Dream she has brought in images from her memory, with which she has put in her own perceptions. Three are bronze casting and the other is direct metal stainless steel composition of sheets. This stylised face too has its origin in dreams." Just as I can't walk or run in my dreams, so the subject too is static," she says.
Shulekha Chowdhury has three paintings on canvas and paper. "One is a mixed media work, in which I've used pastel and charcoal and the rest are in acrylic. I want to present the emotions and feelings of my present existence, with the stifling environment -- both local and universal. However, I'm not entirely pessimistic. Thus my repeated themes are man and environment." Along with the impeccable paintings of Farida Zaman and Rokeya Sultana, she said a lot for the standard of women painters.