The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

"The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh celebrates the inauguration of its gallery of Fine art with a small but rich international exhibition of art. The Society already possesses a valuable collection of paintings, prints and sculptural works. The present exhibition sets a new phase in the society's art arena. Regular exhibitions will henceforth feature the activity calendar of the society. There will also be a permanent collection for visitors to see and enjoy at any time of working hours," said Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Nazrul Islam at the inauguration of 16 day-long art exhibition organised by the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh at its own gallery in the capital.

The present exhibition displays works of 22 Bangladeshi artists including the founding fathers of modern art in Bangladesh, Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hasan, Safiuddin Ahmed and SM Sultan. Other major senior artists represented in the show are Muhammed Kibria. Aminul Islam, Mustafa Monwar, Abdur Razzaque, Qayyum Chowdhury, Rashid Chowdhury, Murtaza Baseer, Zunabul Islam, Syed Jahangir, Devdas Chakraborty, Kazi Abdul Baset, Samarjit Roy Choudhury, Abdul Muktadir, Abu Taher, Shamsul Islam Nizami, Nurul Islam, Rafiqun Nabi and Monirul Islam. The youngest of these 22 artists, are the last two, Rafiqun Nani and Monirul Islam, both born in 1943, are not so young now though extremely youthful in their artistic activities. Several of the senior artists are now dead. All the 22 artists are represented by their characteristics works. Artist Hamiduzzaman Khan has taken trouble in collecting such valuable pieces from families of the artists and other private collections.

While speaking at the inauguration of the exhibition, Prof SMA Faiz, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, said, "The Asiatic Society is something to be admired. It welcomed many artists from overseas, and this particular exhibition is a hub of many cultures."

Prof Nazrul Islam said, "This is a pioneer work in terms of setting up a permanent gallery. The exhibition marks the International Mother Language Day and there are participants from as many as eight countries, including Bangladesh. Although organised within a short time, the participants represent the subcontinent and beyond. The display also features paintings of Bikram Shah from Nepal and other artists from South Asia and Europe."

Asiatic Society has always been a patron of art, literature and history, said Prof Nazrul Islam. The permanent gallery, even though it is limited in nature, will encourage people to come and appreciate fine arts, he said. The other two permanent galleries are the ones at the National Museum and the Shilpakala Gallery.

He added that as the gallery is located at the breakpoint between the old and new city, it should attract many viewers. Several members of the society are themselves painters of repute, like Murtaja Baseer and Hamiduzzaman Khan.

Eminent artist Hamiduzzman Khan said that he had worked with the Asiatic Society for seven years, along with others like Qayyum Chowdhury, Rafiqun Nabi and Ivy Zaman. In the process, he said, he managed to collect many works by senior artists for the gallery.

He added that in the field of fine arts, Bangladesh was ahead of many in South Asia.

Senior painter Qayyum Chowdhury said that to be able to exhibit at the Asiatic Society Gallery was a credit and honour for artists.

Mahfuza Khanum of the Asiatic Society said that the institution focused on fine arts and artworks by 35 artists from USA, UK, Germany, Spain, India, Malaysia and Greece that had been collected for the display.

The works of Zainul Abedin was represented by the seated woman in her red striped sari, dreaming of her beloved.

Safiuddin Ahmed's painting brought in a carpenter, while an overwhelmingly large watercolour by SM Sultan conveyed the dreams that the artist had for the prosperity of the country.

A pensive woman was depicted by artist Qayyum Chowdhury, while Abdul Basset's piece was also a stylised one.

Fascinating lines entered into Monirul Islam's semi-abstract work.

Gold and blue dominated Syed Jehangir's depiction of women winnowing in the countryside.

The works of Clare Mitten from UK, Georgia Grigoriadou from Greece, Uttam Nepali, an impressionist artist, currently exhibiting in USA and Suzelee Ibrahim from Malaysia were also there to be admired.

The exhibition was ended on February 24.