Stories on the walls of Dhaka

A piece by Bruno Ruhf

The walls of Dhaka are even more eloquent.

French artist Bruno Ruhf presents a number of artworks on the walls of Dhaka at the Alliance Française. A blend of photography and painting, the works depict a more colourful and lively Dhaka, especially as characterised on the walls of the metropolis.

Bruno Ruhf wandered about the streets of the city throughout March, April and December last year. During those walks, he captured on photographs the walls of Dhaka with all their writings and posters. He has then manipulated his creativity on those photographs through the brush and paint. Giving them a blended look of painting and photography, Ruhf has created a wonderful collection of artworks.

The walls of Dhaka city have come up with all their salient features in Bruno Ruhf's works. Posters depicting the campaign of politicians from the major parties are most common on the walls of this megacity. Besides them, there are publicity posters of different organisations claiming great achievements.

Another prominent characteristic of Dhaka walls is the writings on them. Starting with political slogans and propaganda and the commercial allure of products, the "canvas" of Dhaka walls has even facilitated personal issues: wishes, hopes and frustrations.

What is very important about Bruno Ruhf's perspective is that in his presentation of the Dhaka walls he has not excluded the floating life of the streets of the capital. The sidewalks of most walls in this city are occupied by the floating population--beggars, vagabonds, prostitutes, urchins and the destitute. A couple of artworks depict these "insignificant" people.

A few other art works portray an indifference that is most common about the passersby while they pass by the walls.

As a whole, the exhibition is quite interesting. The display is open until March 31.