Bridging cultures with dots
In Paris she learnt textile and fashion designing, working in different fashion houses as a freelance artist, having obtained the membership of the National Art Guild in 2002.
She has chosen textile designing as it is more lucrative than fashion designing. She uses both brush and roller for putting on her colours on the fabrics. Her designs arise from a combination of dots, lines and a connection between the two. She was lured into the world of colours on apparel when she was a child visiting her grandfather's house. There a blackberry fell on her frilly white dress, leaving a stain on it. Nilufar liked the effect so much that she got more berries to stain her dress further. Though she spoilt her dress, she enjoyed the escapade, and developed a fascination for coloured dots and dashes from then on.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Nilufar's abstract work, done on paper, canvas and silk, is strongly influenced by the work of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock. She has also kept in mind the tradition of Dhaka Jamdani. Her work should inspire young fashion designers in Bangladesh.
One of the displays in the gallery is a skirt which has kept in mind the occasion of Holud. Meant for teenagers, the dress material has yellow flowers on silver stems. Another wrap-around, to be worn over a skirt or trousers is a similar garment with a dazzling effect. The silver dots and dashes are seen on a flamingo pink and white background. The hangings sometimes have water colour on the chiffon, with abstract designs of flowers and plants. There are special fabrics for customers such as those who perform on stage and this is with silk, feathers and painted rice grains.
The exhibition, which maybe seen as a bridge between cultures, reveals the heights of a woman's aspiration and achievement.