The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

“Ceramics is one of the oldest art forms of the country. I was exposed to ceramics work before my studies when I had come to the Fine Arts Institute for coaching before the admission test. Then filling in certain requirements of measurement, I made squares and made a design from them. Some of the tiles are simply burnt, while others have glaze on them," said Fouzia Abedin Tani, one of the participants of the exhibition and a 3rd year student of the Institute of Fine Arts (IFA) of Dhaka University, while expressing her ceramics works at the 1st ceramics exhibition of five friends under the banner of 'Penta Dots' at Zainul Gallery of the IFA.

The exhibition was ended recently. Prof Syed Abul Kalam Azad, Treasurer of Dhaka University, artist Abdus Shakoor Shah, Director of IFA, Md Rabiul Islam, Assistant Professor of Ceramics Department of IFA, among others, were present at the inauguration.

Besides Tani, other participants were Mohammad Ronnie Habib, ASM Abdullah, Sharif Ahmed and Anowar Hossain Jony. Alls were students of the Department of Ceramics of the IFA of Dhaka University and had put in their combined efforts in the display of art objects in burnt clay.

Tani said, "I've brought in folk designs with ornate floral motifs consisting of trees, flowers, fish and birds. This is my third year at the Institute and I'm happy to study under my teachers like Debashish Pal, Rabiul Islam and Shapan Shikdar."

Touching on the difficulties that she faces, she said, "Firing is a hassle - the processing of the clay, takes care and time. The ceramics students often go to the 'Pal Para' of Rayer Bazar as the ovens for clay firing there are adequate."

The students also try their hands in making household items, although in the exhibition only decorated mugs have been kept, said Tani.

Tani hopes to do sculpture in future. Sharif's works included a boat at sail, a bullock cart, a bearded flute player, houses, a 'hukkah,' birds and a sunburst. All these symbols from village life were placed on a single frame.

Ronnie had different portrayals of swans near the river bank, green monsters in the shape of gnomes with spindly arms, hooked nose and drawn together in a way that spoke of despair.

Abdullah had items like faces of queens, fish, doves and animals.

Jony's works included a portrait in green, brown and beige. He brought in a couple with slanted eyes, seen embracing each other. There was also a portrait of an eastern bride, complete with jewellery.

Another of his work was a night scene. He dealt with motifs of fish, elephants, birds and horses. Abstract work with rectangles, semicircles and lines were also included in his attempts.

Despite all designs and motifs were experimental, but had unique nature in sense of the artistic view.