Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1113 Wed. July 18, 2007  
   
Culture


17thm National Art Biennale
Khalid Mahmood Mithu on his award-winning work "Justice"


Many artists through their innovative works have criticised the flawed polity of contemporary Bangladesh. Khalid Mahmood Mithu has addressed the trend of political practice for the sole purpose of making quick bucks, through his 'video-installation' based work, Justice. The installation has won the AB Bank Award at the 17th National Art Biennale organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

At the centre of the video-installation is a toilet, decorated with Taka. The floor is covered with newspapers clippings featuring news on extortion, surrounded by wheat -- supposed to be used as relief for the poor. On top of the setting a video is projected on a TV screen. The video shows an individual sitting on the toilet covered with money.

On his work, Mithu says, "The toilet as well as shirt, trouser, sunglass, shoes and even the undergarment of the model in the video-installation, are all covered with money. Corrupt politicians in Bangladesh have attained so much wealth by conning the masses that at times they're unsure how to spend the money. The floor, with the newspaper clippings and relief materials, represents the mass."

Why does he call it "Justice"? Mithu responds, "It's sarcasm; trying to draw attention to the injustice. The essence of the modern art forms, like video-installation, is to create an enigmatic effect on the viewers so that they're compelled to think."

Why has he chosen video-installation as the medium? Mithu says, "The whole world is on the lookout for new and edgy mediums. Apt use of medium is a key factor to demonstrate an artist's talents. Video-installation is used quite frequently by artists all over the world. Besides I'm also a documentary-maker. Naturally I have a weakness for the medium."

Khalid Mahmood Mithu has completed his MFA from the Institute of Fine Arts. Apart from being a painter, Mithu has also made a name for himself as a documentary-maker and photographer.

Picture
Justice, the video-installation by Khalid Mahmood Mithu (left) & The artist (right)