The mirror magic

From time immemorial, the mirror has been an indispensable possession. Often the view in the mirror can make or mar a day. Keeping this magical effect of mirrors in mind, the artists of Vertical organised the 5th Vertical Ceramics and Wood Art Exhibition at the Zainul Gallery of the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka. On display are a fair number of mirrors blended with wood and brass work and splashes of colours, and earthen ceramic potteries and terracotta masks.

Vertical, started its journey in 1997 with the backing of three young artists Azharul Islam (Chanchal), Nurul Amin and Masudur Rahman. Their motive was to develop and promote traditional ceramics to preserve our indigenous folk motifs in the contemporary world. And now, after all these years, their dedication to promote studio ceramics and terracotta art with a fusion of modernity has earned them a niche. Now they cover areas like studio ceramics, mural paintings, terracotta, ceramics crockery, mosaic and tiles paintings, sculpture, fountain, wood carving, mixed media art work and even provide training and consultancy.

In their recent exhibition, the artists try to blend aesthetics with functionality. The mirrors are so beautiful that one can use them as a showpiece or an art-work. Using folk and traditional motifs like peacocks, cocks, elephants, owls, trees or even some abstract works in the frame, using wood, brass and sometimes splashes of colours as a medium, this collection mesmerises the visitors.

So what's their speciality? "Our speciality is we don't use the burnish materials in the wood works, which in fact destroy the real character of wood," says Chanchal. " Rather we burned the wood which create a unique surface and has developed some unique shades of natural colours." Most of the woods used in the exhibition are pinewood. "But we use some synthetic emulsion colours to make them attractive, which doesn't ruin the original texture of the wood," he adds.

Apart from the mirrors, there are ceramic and earthen vases with terracotta, which also have a unique appeal. The masks, depicting the faces of the kings and queens of our folk tales, are magnificent. The most interesting part of these art-works is the use of colour splashes in the form of terracotta. "Although the traditional terracotta only has the colour of burnt clay, we have successfully experimented with so many colours," asserts Chanchal.

So what's their next venture? "Our next exhibition will be on ceramic crockery, where each set of crockery will be unique. Actually we are trying to develop the concept of studio ceramics in the country," smiles Chanchal.

Today is the last day of the exhibition.