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Impressive paintings by "Berger" contestants

9 December 2006, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Fayza Haq
9 December 2006, 18:00 PM
Balcony-14 (1st prize winner) by Sanjib Barua(Left),Aattodarshon (4th prize winner) by Md Arifuzzaman Chowdhury(Right)
The recent 11th "Berger" young painters' exhibit at Zainul Gallery was a definite feast for the eyes. Young, competitive and often experimental, the artists have worked in different mediums and themes to add harmony and tranquillity to the present metropolitan existence. Bold and buoyant, varying from realism to impressionism and abstraction, the hard-working and motivated put their colours and lines with dash and dare. Optimistic and driven, the young artists proved that despite their limited experience, they could present good works, given the circumstances and time.

The jury of the competition comprised Hashem Khan, Rafiqun Nabi, Abdus Shakoor Shah, SK Afzal, Md. Unus, Nazlee L Mansoor and KMA Quiyum.

Sanjib Barua, the 1st prize winner, presented a potted plant, on a base of a chopped tree, along with other cut tree trunks in the backdrop. Two fragile butterflies in royal-blue and black, perching on the base of the flower tub, done in pinks, blues, and other earthy colours completes the picture. Trees, said Barua are like humans, around them -- being increasingly made rootless.

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About his entrée, the 2nd prize winner, Adhikary commented, "The still life painting is a study only." The reality was reflected though everyday life, like the placing of empty whiskey bottles along with two glasses, placed on a chutney-green table cloth. Behind was a sketch of a jar. The delightful play of colours, and the projection of routine life-- measured out with drafts of drinks were a feat in realism for one so young.

Hopes and dream were included in Siddiqua's (the 3rd prize winner) translucent abstraction that presented a mind-boggling motif of life past, present and future. It also included hopes, dreams whether fruitful or otherwise. This symbolic expressionistic work, depicted the mad stampede for existence. The empty space represented time while the other fractured forms in ultramarine, gold indigo and the streams, dot and touch of ruby read represented man's constant fate for struggle -- in endeavours past and present.

Chowdhury, the 4th winner, gave a straightforward presentation of his " feelings, frustrations and silent helplessness". It bought in the crucial conflict "between his persona and desires." In his Aattodarshon, a man's limbs, is seen resting willy-nilly on a mosaic floor, of emerald green black, white, and silver. The subject's redLungi had folds of umber and burnt-sienna.

The 5th winner, Rana's work, Vertical civilisation presented three basic forms taken from a village landscape. The green of the composition presented the contrast between nature and civilisation, presented in the slowly eroding white.

This year's "Berger" entrées excelled the earlier ones, without an iota of doubt.