Bangladesh’s leading painters Art on display in town exhibition at the Nomad Art Gallery

Islamabad Jamal Ahmed needs no introduction. Established as one of Bangladesh’s leading painters, he belongs to a class of artists now recognised internationally. He was introduced to the art-lovers of Islamabad by Tanzara, which hosted his first solo exhibition in 2012, and has now brought the artist’s absorbing work to the city once again at an exhibition opening today (Thursday).

“Jamal’s work has a distinct flair, which sets him apart from his contemporaries. His artistic development during the last few decades completely transcends other Bangladeshi artists. There is no other parallel that draws with his verve or paints with the unique human warmth that he does. He approaches his subjects with great empathy and passion and immortalises them in his impressionistic style paintings,” the gallery’s curator, Noshi Qadir, analysed at the exhibition’s preview.

Born in Dhaka in 1955, Jamal graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, in 1978 before moving to Poland in 1980 for a research course from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. In 1982, he did Japanese language course from Osaka University of Foreign Language, Japan, and then studied oil painting under Professor Fumeiko Yomamoto of Isukuba University, Japan.

Bangladeshi artist Mehbubul Islam explains his work to the visitors at the Nomad Art Gallery

The artist did his Masters in Fine Arts from Tsukuba University, Japan, in 1986. Aside from Islamabad, his works have been exhibited in Mumbai, London, Japan, the US, and Norway. He has won coveted both at home and abroad.

Jamal paints with great skill. He is a master of many techniques and his dexterity finds a manifestation in whatever he paints, be it the female figure, a riverscape, or a cluster of pigeons. He does not rely on an extensive palette. Even though his colours are minimal, the strokes are bold and impacting. Art critics describe his colours as “carry mythical meaning: truth, faith, divine knowledge.” Even when Jamal Ahmed presents simple street ‘fagirs’ and pavement dwellers, Noshi anaylsed, one is compelled to study them and find them a gorgeous presentation of humanity. “Finding beauty in the ordinary has always been the quest of the romantic mind,” she stated in this context. The exhibition opens at House 14, Street 12, F-7/2, today (Thursday). The News

Display: Peace building through art

ISLAMABAD: Promoting international heritage and peace building values, works of 10 Bangladeshi artists will be shown at the Nomad Art Gallery today. The curator, Nageen Hayat, has hand picked a wide array of new and established artists for the show and the press preview for the event was held at the gallery on Monday.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh Suhrab Hossain and continue till December 21. It will feature the works of Mahabubul Islam Baabu, Syed Mohammed Shamim, Zahir Hossain Newton, Rezaun Nabi, Mohammed Fakhruzzaman, Anisuzzaman Anis, Abdul Aziz, Rajaul Islam, Shahin Akhter Lipi and Fehmida Khatun. All of these artists have received national and international acclaim for their work.

With three artists present in Islamabad representing the entire collection, the work speaks of the skill and the maturity of these artists.

The entire collection focuses on symbolism, abstract themes using imagery of women, crows, pigeons, motifs and other signs to explain the innovative ideas of artists with diverse mediums. The exhibition offers a unique collection in which every piece depicts a different theme, where the medium has been presented with the symbolic signs in powerful expressions.

Mastery in water colour, woodcut and acrylics can all be witnessed in the collection. In other words there is something for every taste and style. The mix of symbolism and oriental themes highlighting some of the paintings give a deeper perspective into the artists’ culture and heritage in a very under-toned manner. Using faces, figures, birds and horses the collection at large has a very universal feel, yet one can get a flavor of the artists’ individuality from their work.

Rajaul Islam displays the masterly techniques in wood cut, while Shahin Akhter shows history capturing abstract architectural images.

ZH Newton’s symbolic and local themes reflect his life in a sensitive way, whereas Adbul Aziz gives bluish
tones to his thematic work using the medium of water colours with a strong drawing of women.

Furthermore, Anisuzzaman Anis’ work is based on wood cuts along with mixed media, knife work and water colours.

A very young yet celebrated artist from Bangladesh, he has also gotten acclaim at international forums. Anis is a privileged award holder from the Asian Biennale, one of the most prestigious art competitions in Asia.

Rezuan Nabi uses the face of a woman to capture his imagination. “The face is very true to us and I want to represent the women of my country here through this platform. I use the dove because it is a symbol of peace and solidarity and this is where our nations connect,” he said. Using acrylics on paper the artist creates the soft texture of water colours which gives the work a very open and light feel to it.

Published in The Express Tribune, 

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