Ibsen reflected on canvas
Each of the canvases on display is a representation of Ibsen's plays. Renowned artists have focused on the ideas of freedom, discrimination against women and identity crisis -- common features in Ibsen's plays such as A Doll's House, Hedda Gabler, An Enemy of the People, Peer Gynt and Brand.
Dhali Al Mamoon's canvas, titled Antor-e Bahir-e represents the urge for ultimate freedom, which is elusive. In course of portraying this message, he has created three shadows of human figures on bright colours like red, black and yellow.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Harold Rashid's interpretation of the play Peer Gynt on his canvas, titled Beyond Redemption is another interesting piece. He has portrayed the identity crisis through an image of an eagle carrying a burning globe away from the symphony of the cosmos.
Zahid Ali Chowdhury has reconstructed the theme of Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler with oriental connotation. He has created an image of two female characters -- Hedda Gabler and Tagore's character Chitrangada -- on the canvas with oriental costumes to make the play relevant even in the socio-cultural scenario of this part of the world.
Interestingly most of the painters who have dealt with women's issues have symbolically represented the urge for freedom in the male-dominated society by the images of women and birds.
Mansurul Karim's painting, titled Beginning of the Path is the saga of Ibsen's mission to free men from the darkness that falls when religion is misused. The aim is to create a secular world. Moreover, there are five portraits of Ibsen on display.
In addition, an installation display, titled 'To be a poet is to see Ibsen in our time' is also on. The works are by Norwegian artists.
Norwegian Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim inaugurated the exhibition in which eminent artists of the country, Murtaja Baseer and Syed Jamaluddin carried out discussions.
Earlier three books -- Ibsener Nari and Ibsener Natok O Kabita edited by Selina Hossain and Ibsener Kabita by Anisur Rahman were launched.