Duo: An intimate experience

A portrait of Tarana Halim (R) and her works

Her relentless search was fruitful when she began to be aware of her own surroundings. On her way to and from her dormitory (which is in the university area), she always found "couples" by the roadside. Some of them could have been couples, some just friends and some may be siblings. The fact that one can always find them together on the sidewalks and parks fascinated her. She made quick drawings on the spot, which were later transformed realistically into little clay pieces in The Fine Arts Institute. From that stage she endeavoured for simplified forms in clay, which later served as layouts for the bigger wooden sculptures. The end product is Duo, her solo exhibition; which ends today at the Zainul Art Gallery, Dhaka University.

Although this is Tarana's first solo exhibition, her boldness and commitment to the media is prominent. Solid, lifeless and unfeeling blocks of wood have been eloquently transformed into pieces of artwork that evoke an unending flow of life and emotion in the spectator's mind. To achieve that quality, this award-winning artist talked with couples to learn more about them. She focused on the nuances in the body language of couples according to different moods. She is determined to work more on couples later, when she will introduce colour and texture; and bring out their psychological conditions.

Interestingly, sculpture was not Tarana's childhood obsession. It was only when she was getting prepared for the admission test at the Fine Arts Institute that she began to develop a fascination for this media. Learning about Novera, a pioneer sculptor of the country, she was inspired to model or cut something and create art. Tarana likes simplified and lucid forms that general people can easily understand and enjoy.

The people of Khulna, her hometown, will also get a chance to enjoy her creations from November 12 to November16 at Khulna Press Club Seminar Room.

For all sculpture enthusiasts, a visit to Duo either in Dhaka or Khulna promises an aesthetic encounter with pure intimacy.