The New Nation - Internet Edition

Art & Culture Report

“The knowledge and the wisdom that do transcend in man are much greater then the materialistic reality that surrounds him. It has the natural power to change the whole world. In this series 'The Sign of Reality' I do bring up the realisation that life is a journey, where man has to face a certain higher truth that is found in him. This truth is the very seed of his original birth. It is the gateway to his inner universe. The universe unseen by the normal human eyes but could be seen and sensed through the third spiritual eye and deeper still within this centre lies the divine essence of his spiritual nature," said the Fijian artist Jossaia McNamara at his solo art exhibition titled 'The Sign of Reality' at the Zainul Gallery of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University recently. The exhibition was a part of his nine-month Commonwealth Scholarship Programme at the Department of Printmaking of the Fiji Fine Art.

Jossaia's Polynesian and Melanesian cultural heritage and Christian origin was noticeable in his works. He presented the religious beliefs and culture of that part of the world in his exotic and non-naturalistic art.

Blending signs of different religions and cultures, Jossaia portrayed the 'spirit' of the journey to achieve 'ultimate peace.'

Following the Polynesian and Melanesian art traditions, Jossaia presented the images of Vishnu, Durga, Buddha and other gods and traditional motifs of Bangladesh.

Moreover, he used verses from different religions in several languages such as Bangla and Hebrew.

To realise his artworks in different mediums like oil on canvas, mixed media, etching and lithography, one had to know his background.

Jossaia has travelled the world to learn about the religions, cultures and folk arts.

He said, "This series interprets life as a journey, where man has to face a certain higher truth, which is the very seed of his creation. In fact, it is the gateway to his inner universe at the centre of which lies the divine essence of his spiritual nature."