The New Nation - Internet Edition

Beauty of Nature: Kantideb’s 1st solo painting exhibition

Beautification-1, Acrylic on paper and Life-13,
Acrylic on canvas

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Kantideb Adhikary recently completed his academic career through the degree MFA. His first solo painting exhibition titled 'Beauty of Nature' ended at the Zainul Gallery of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. The six-day exhibition was inaugurated on October 17.

In the exhibition, selected paintings of Kantideb, which he has painted throughout his student life, were on display. A total of 33 art works of Kantideb were on display at the show.

Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Dr AFM Yusuf Haider inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest.

Chairman of the Department of Oriental Art of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University Dr Abdus Sattar chaired the event, while Country Representative of Save the Children (Sweden- Denmark) Niels Bentzen was also present as special guest on the occasion.

Kantideb was very much enthusiastic towards painting from his very childhood. His enthusiasm has greatly been influenced by the country's veteran artist SM Sultan. He has got the opportunity to learn painting in Sultan's 'Shis-huswarga.' He achieved adoration and blessing from SM Sultan. Works of Sultan influenced Kantideb. As a result, he painted many paintings before getting admitted in the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. Some of these were drawn in the time between 1992 and 1996. During this time, his memorable paintings were 'Lamp,' 'Beggar,' 'Grandma,' 'Lock,' 'Cycle,' and others. These works indicated him a bright and promising artist.

While addressing his working theme of this exhibition Kantideb said, "I learn from school textbook that animals, trees have life. They have the feelings of sorrow and happiness, well-woes. I become thoughtful realising the feelings of plants. Nature or a small part of nature, especially parasitic or sheltered plant is my favourite subject of painting. Parasitic or sheltered plant is an inseparable part of nature. Most of them are beautiful but they are always neglected. They have to grow up in dry and hard place. They get their nutrition and water from rain, air, sunshine and dust. Who is there to think difficult livelihood? Man either does not care them or even does not pity them for a single moment. Their life is largely uncertain. None can say how long they can live or how big they can be. Human society is not exceptional from them. Many cute babies born in footpaths. But their life is like that of the parasitic of sheltered plants. They are pariahs and neglected in the society. Their life is not certain too. In my series of paintings like 'Uncertain Life,' 'Life is not so easy,' I have tried to express this thought. I have tried utmost to articulate not only the laborious life of plants but also the beauty present in them."

While getting admission into the Institute of Fine Arts, Kantideb's favourite medium of painting was the wash technique on handmade paper. Then he experimented it variously in his works.

"From 1997, Kantideb started his institutional career on painting in the Institute of Fine Arts in Dhaka. In this time, he has perfectly applied his pre-experience and strategy of the experiences, he has learnt from his teachers, in his artworks. Among his paintings - 'Study,' 'Woman, 'Uncertain Life,' Picking Lilies,' 'Waiting,' and others proved his high devotion to painting," said Dr Abdus Sattar.

In his work titled 'Beautification -01,' his beautified the enormous beauty of woman where very simple aspects were presented so nicely.

In his 'Life,' series he has proved his own philosophical values of every plant has feelings and life. Expression of life of these natural elements was vividly represented in his works.

Therefore, in his series of 'Flower,' he made a narrative expression and aesthetic beauties of flowers in different moods.

Every artist should represent his own tradition before the world. Oriental art is our own style in which we have our tradition. The works of Kantideb has proved that oriental art is not an expressive beauty of nature but also a thematic appearance of surrounding elements.

Searching the world: Vasilescu’s solo art show at Asiatic Society

Visitors at the art exhibition at the Asiatic
Society of Bangladesh: Photo: Sharif Khan

Art & Culture Report

The 10-day solo art exhibition featured paintings, photography and sculpture exhibition by promising Romanian artist George Vasilescu ended recently at the Gallery of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Nimtoli in the city.

Prof Sirajul Islam, President of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, inaugurated the show, as chief guest on October 11, while eminent sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan, artist himself, among others, were present on the occasion. In the show, 13 paintings of Vasilescu were the use of cloths. Vasilescu has created the impression of rickshaw hoods with cloths in most of his paintings.

As a painter Vasilescu has innovatively presented human emotions in his figurative and abstract works following the colourful rickshaw painting style. The depiction of women in his paintings was also interesting, as he has interlaced the female figures with that of serpents in the paintings. A few of the works also featured women in veils. Bold colours usually used for traditional rickshaw paintings such as red, yellow and black have been used. Interestingly, black has been used to portray the figures, which was quite unusual.

In his 23 photographs, struggling characters of rickshaw-pullers were on focus. Therefore, there were six small bronze sculptures in the exhibition. Vasilescu said, "I came here two months ago. These works are a result of the short span of time during my visit in Bangladesh. Through this exhibition I have tried my best to represent my emotions and experiences in Bangladesh. Sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan helped my a lot and inspired me to work here."

Artist K G Mustafa’s book publication ceremony held

K G Mustafa

Art & Culture Report

A book on renowned artist KG Mustafa titled "Artist KG Mustafa and His Exceptional Designs" was unveiled at a ceremony at CIRDAP Auditorium in the city on October 21 as a tribute to the pioneer designer of Bangladesh's first metal and paper currencies.

He was also honoured for his remarkable contribution in designing the first and highest number of postage stamps for Bangladesh Postal Department during the first two decades after independence. Authored by Siddique Mahmudur Rahman and Abdus Samad the book is a result of extensive research work, performed under auspices of Bangladesh Institute of Philatelic Studies (BIPS). It is published and printed by the Theme-o-Graph Publication House, former Pioneer Publication Ltd.

Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Salehuddin Ahmed formally unfolded the book on the occasion as chief guest. Dewan Mujibur Rahman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mercantile Bank Limited, was present as guest of honour on the occasion. M A Momen, former President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI), Mobasherur Rahman, Director General of Bangladesh Post Office and Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, Chairman of Centre for Development Research in Bangladesh (CDRB) was also present at the launching ceremony.

Prof Serajul Islam, President, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh and Chief Editor of Banglapedia, chaired the function. Speaking over the book, author Siddique Mahmudur Rahman said, "Very little study and research works have been carried out on the postage stamps and postal services in Bangladesh. Similar situation is also in the sector of designing bank currencies in metal or paper shape, which is doubtlessly an art of great sophistication and expellant creativity."

The book contained a collection of rare postage stamps, postal stationeries, coins and paper currencies of Bangladesh, designed by this eminent designer. It also added artist's point of view on his life and works.