Shako's rhythm of colours

Farida Zaman's Sufia in a rickshaw

Fareha Zeba, one of the important members of Shako, says, "My paintings deal with women's problems. I point out the conflict within women when they are suppressed. On my canvas is a pregnant woman with a gloomy outlook, done in blue, gray and brown rather than the colours of joy." Zeba wanted to depict the fact when a woman is pregnant, she bears the burden and suffering all by herself. The cutting of the apple with the enormous knife brings to mind the eating of the apple by Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and the troubles that followed. While depicting the position of women in society, Zeba has also brought in the distorted face of an acid victim.

Nasreen Begum, like others, had given three paintings for display. In Green water Nasreen has brought the scene of the back of luxurious hotels where a slum type existence abounds next to the opulent luxury. Here there is water logging and the water, not being able to escape, has become green and stagnant. The offices and hotels look splendid but behind them slums abound. On another paper, she brings in the scattered petals of the fiery krishnachura tree that fall so often on the roads and make them so picturesque. Unable to have the luxurious sights of the villages, she has dealt with the presence of nature in the city. She works on the scenes around the University quarters where she lives. With her feminine vision, Nasreen has made the ordinary extraordinary.

Farzana Islam Milky has brought in a distraught sex worker hoping to make the onlookers become aware of their plight of being dependent on male lust. The woman is staring blankly at a piece of wire that is jutting out and counting out her days. The woman's existence in Waiting appears futile and confused.

Kanak Chanpa Chakma has dealt with the theme of the tribal people once again. Her canvases have moved away from the realistic and are larger than before. Kanak says, "The compositions present women at work and also the Muro people celebrating a festival.

One depicts an old woman weaving in the moonlight so that this is washed in blue light. In the other, I've used orange, contrasting it with black and white. I've used different types of strokes and textures than what I've used before."

Naima Haque, in Cold Steel reflects her feelings in her red and blue forms. Naima says, "The colours and forms speak for themselves. One is like a flattened steel form of a woman and the other blue form is a reflection of my feeling of my position in society. The painting suggests the tension and fear that abound in our existence. "

Kuhu's Girl with flower done in red, black and beige, is dramatic indeed. "I have a sitter and I draw. I enjoy my work. I don't put much thought into what I'm doing. I love line drawing and I focus on the lines," says Kuhu.

Trina Bohan Tyrie, a guest artist from New Zealand, says that in doing the portrait of the flower seller she wanted to bring out her strength and dignity.

This exhibition too is one of Shako's success stories.