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Romance galore

20 April 2005, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Fayza Haq
20 April 2005, 18:00 PM
Fisherman with lover
Rofique Ahmed, whose exhibition began at the Divine Gallery in the city recently, has amalgamated the style of various Bangladeshi art teachers, and those in Vadodara, India, where he did his Masters. This is his first solo and fairly interesting, if one were not too critical. For artists in the busy art world, it is not easy to make an impact since there many galleries to choose from and visit. Rofique is daring and has been taught fairly well, if one is interested in adaptation of Oriental Art. One learns and progresses by the imitation of art and Rofique has done just that. If one was out to buy a painting to give it as a gift or keep it to decorate his room at a comparatively reasonable price, this week is just the opportunity.

Rofique has not stayed within the confines of Oriental Art. He has experimented and worked and the current display is the collection of his labour of love. His work is full of life, scintillating with colours. The lines are dexterous, as he divides his composition before him. He does his work carefully, planning and working as he proceeds.

What is commendable about his paintings is that he manages to make the viewer forget about the floods and famines that deluge Bangladesh from time to time. His work should be viewed and prized as he takes the viewer away from the ennui of urban existence into a dreamland of folk legends of Bangladesh. He is preoccupied with romantic themes and so his work is idyllic and soothing, if one is inclined to go in for such themes and precise compositions which hark back to Abdus Shakoor, who have played with the "Radha Krishna" and "Shakuntala" images.

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There is nothing passe about the collection of paintings although it is obvious that the display should not have been crammed in one limited space. There was no eye rest. Furthermore, if one were to view the collection in the afternoon heat, one would not think of the experience as a respite in the hectic Dhaka existence.

The combination of flora and fauna, and combining that with subjects of Bangladeshi fishermen, boatmen and other stylised subjects is not bad. However, the galleries in Dhaka have many more effective paintings to offer as, for instance, the parallel painting show at Shilpangan, which is being held this week.

Rofique has won five awards, such as the best award for Mural Painting and Design at the MS University in Vadodara. He has taken part in over 40 joint exhibitions.