At a workshop in Savar, Monirul Islam had taught the artists to work with corrugated hardboard paper, burnt and powdered rice, jute ropes and other elements from nature. Monir, speaking to The Daily Star before a recent press conference, said, "This workshop was held three years back. Most of the artists involved are from Chittagong, Rajshahi and Dhaka. Coming to Dhaka from Spain at that time, I felt that we have enough local materials that we can use and don't have to hanker after paints not made locally.

"We have colours like indigo, produced locally and red oxide, which comes from bricks as well as other hues developed from flowers and vegetables. There are other expensive colours too like saffron. It is important that the materials should last despite the adverse weather conditions in Bangladesh. We can use sand and egg shells too, which applied with glue, would make interesting collage. At the same time we should be sure that the techniques don't overwhelm the subject.

"Again, we should experiment and make paintings which are different from the run of the mill. Adding collage gives a dramatic dimension to the work. The workshop was short -- lasting four days only, and within that time the artists produced fantastic work. It was raining in Savar throughout the workshop. This created a romantic setting."

Hamiduzzaman Khan presents a rectangle hanging from a delicate branch of a tree, seen against a corrugated board. The composition is in shades of beige and brown. Alokesh Ghosh, who has worked with mixed media, presents delectable forms like parts of a large floral bouquet. Alokesh does not usually go in for abstracts but he has experimented with the style here. Mauve, green and pale jade dominate the selection of colours.

Working with mixed media on canvas, Tarun Ghosh has created a Behula series with tiny scattered motifs in black, white and brown. Using diskettes and applying layers of burnt umber, Mohammed Eunus has created an overwhelming abstract collage. Ahmed Shamsuddoha's painting with a tree on a vast expanse of green against pale indigo sky with bubbles floating by, is a delightful image.

Shulekha Chowdhry's Amar Shomokal is suspended with intriguing random objects like a shoe, an apple, a hand and a foot. Shades of brown and orange dominate the canvas. Layers of mauve and beige in vertical strokes bring in Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash's creation on board.

Boats in all shapes and sizes, including paper ones, representing childhood memories, dominate Dilara Begum Jolly's collage and acrylic work on canvas. Mauve and indigo, along with pale blue, with a touch of orange complete the composition.

The products of the collage workshop are worth examining. The exhibition ends on May 26.