The Dynamic 5's unique colour compositions

Differently inclined, as regards the mediums and groups, the young paint enthusiasts have forged ahead with their experimentation and also abide by the rules of the books and teachers. The display is neatly arranged and appears very soothing to the eye, even though, at times, the element of symbolism has entered in strong streaks.

Rashed Kamal Russel has presented mixed media, in which he has held up the disparity between the rich and poor in our society. Playing with raw colours, in sap green, royal blue, magenta and sunflower yellow, Russel has brought in many figures. These are with the backdrop of pale setting, depicting the younger generation, dancing at a discotheque or just going about their daily existence in a rickshaw. Like the chosen hues, the lines in magic markers are bold. The limbs are spindly, while the faces are sketched in. Details of the setting, like a rickshaw seat or the dance-floor are hinted at. Subtlety and sophistication are the impression on the mind of the onlooker.

Abdus Sattar Toufiq's creations present pastel, oil and acrylic on canvas, board and paper. The images that he has chosen appear to be taken from reality around him, and combined with surrealistic impressions of hallucinations, dreams and studies from the canvases of the masters. Like most young local painters, Toufiq insists that his images are his own interpretation of his study of life. In his Youth and Age one finds segments of faces and limbs of people of different age groups. These are combined with the profile of a white horse, standing for youthful energy and optimism. The blue, brown and gray delineation of older persons have dark colours and repeated bold black strokes, which stand for the pessimistic days of the past. His Fear of Death is equally moving, with the representation of flames, outstretched hands and morbid faces.

Zakir-Us-Salam Rassel is similarly passionate and motivated in his work. He has painted sad human faces; old, dilapidated, lichen-covered walls; along with situations and feelings, like the watercolour, Accident. The last is a swirl of blacks and greens amalgamated with sweeps of white.

Urmi Basak Shukla's oil on canvas work is much more lyrical in comparison--with titles like He and Me--for the presentation of paper boats, done in blue and orange, placed on a beaten brass container. The series, to which this oil belongs, brings in the joys of childhood and youth. Her flower with its buoyant colours--presented like some pointillism work, or even the work of French impressionists, with a dash of the flavour of the East--is certainly flamboyant and filled with joie de vivre.

It is encouraging to see young painters departing from academics and creating rhythmic creations of their own.