The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

"It is a matter of great satisfaction that sculpture is getting positive response in our society. A bunch of women sculptures are also playing role for the enrichment of this expressive medium of art. Papia is one of them. She was a very good student. She has done metal casing and wood and iron work side by side. She works in all mediums of sculpture. Wood, stone, bronze and wax are her favourite mediums. Women figure and movement come vividly as her prime subject. She is a feminist and for this reason she feels easy working with female figures" said eminent sculptor Prof Hamiduzzaman Khan at the first solo sculpture exhibition of Habiba Akhter Papia titled 'Rejuvenation of Womanhood' at Zainul Gallery in the Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka University. The exhibition was concluded recently.

Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Nazrul Islam inaugurated the exhibition.

This young sculptor is best in casting and most of her works are in this medium. Her drawings are also remarkable even though they are academic. They are basically to help her to work on a sculpture. Some of the sculptures also made by woodcarving. Most of her works are in human forms, which are lyrical and even spiritual.

"In European eyes it is important to see how Papia's sculptures represent female strength and beauty. The unexpected gestures in her works invite the eye to rest and recline. I find an underlying human power in all of them far beyond ethnic, religious or national boundaries. Her sketches too are full of delicacy and compassion," Peter Kustermann, German artist and critic, remarked on her work.

Papia said that when she joined the Fine arts Institute, some European sculptures come to the department and that inspired her to go into the art form in 1996.

She believes that if a man could do the work she too could excel in this field. She only regretted that the oven for firing in the department was not up to the mark and the students had to spend on their own in order to mark that.

Commenting on Papia's working style, Prof Hamiduzzaman said, "She has been experimenting with presentation. She deconstructs human shapes in most of her wooden sculptures. She engages herself to find out the different shapes of human figures. Her philosophy directs to the centre of all imagination what we call emotional interplay."

In her exhibition 'Rejuvenation of Womanhood,' the artist dwelled on the women as she felt that they have still to come to the forefront and get recognition. She got encouragement from her father Mohammad Wahiduzzaman Bulbul to go into fine arts, although he was not a professional artist.

In one of her sculptures, one was a nude sculpture in modern vision. The limbs were thin which represent the constant pressures under which women are.

She said, "When I worked late in the department, I had to face difficulties and criticism. A man, on the other hand, would never be questioned or criticised."

In another work, one of the hands is found missing and this was done on purpose. It represented the women as vulnerable. The 19 bronze pieces again brought in women's beauty, activities and their thoughts. Women - waiting and bathing - are among these bronze creations.

The three goddesses of beauty, intelligence and strength were also portrayed. The strength that one got in coming and working together was also reflected in that piece.

There were also wood and metal mixed sculptures among her works.

She said, "Here I want to show that people hide their ugly sides and present their best fronts."

Therefore, the sketches were in pastel and wash and contained female figures.

About the exhibition she said, "I have tried to depict not only the exterior of the woman but her feelings and thoughts too."

Rafique Sulayman was the curator of the exhibition.