“A Delightful Journey” opens at AFD

A group art exhibition titled “A Delightful Journey” is on at La Gelerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka. Eminent thespian Ramendu Majumdar inaugurated the exhibition, organised by newly-emerged group Art Stories, on November 3 while eminent artist Professor Nisar Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka attended the opening ceremony as special guest.

Both noted and promising artists -- Bitap Shavan Bachhar, Dewan Nazrul Bappe, Didarul Alam Dipu, MR Deedar, Md. Elias Hossain, Md. Habib Ullah Bahar, Nasima Khanam Queenie, Rokhsana Akhter Banu, Selina Chowdhury Mili, Shammy Yasmin, Tanjila Sumaia Siddiqye and Umme Tania -- have come together to exhibit their artworks which, as the title suggests, recount the delightful journey they have shared together. Renowned artist Professor Jamal Ahmed and this correspondent are taking part in the exhibition as guest artists.

“The participating artists, representing various age groups, have adeptly executed artworks on diverse media. One thing is common to all that they depicted multifarious beauties of Bangladesh,” said Ramendu Majumdar.

 “'Art Stories' constitutes a single entity. Artists should look towards the collective benefit of the group rather than their individual ones. I hope we will go a long way,” said Nasima Khanam Queenie, the curator of the exhibition.

Among the exhibited artworks, Jamal Ahmed's “Fisherman” (acrylic) is a fine composition. A dynamic movement of the subject is noticeable in his work. Harmonised colours and mastery of brushing are hallmarks of his another work that portrays the beauty of seashore.

With folk motifs and geometric forms, MR Deedar has depicted rhythmic semi abstract acrylic works. Vibrant hues and the separation of colours are the distinctive features of his works. Nasima Khanam Queenie has portrayed her artistic thoughts mingling her patriotic passion with the motherland. The oriental styled Birds depicted by Shammy Yasmin are beautiful while the motifs of traditional rickshaw paintings are noticeable in Rokhsana Akhter Banu's works.  

Selina Chowdhury Mili depicted “Paper Boat”. The woodcut prints are also evocative of geometric shapes with separate colour treatments. Without paper boat the composition remind us of the artworks by Mark Rothko.

Md. Elias Hossain has beautifully depicted realistic landscapes while Tanjila Sumaia Siddiqye portrayed the visage of flautist Krishna and the Royal Bengal Tiger in her ceramic works. With lyrical lines and forms, Umme Tania exhibited her work “Fear of Veil”.

Bitap Shavan Bachhar's figurative oil work is rather aphrodisiac. Didarul Alam Dipu depicted his own portraits in a mixed media. Dewan Nazrul Bappe also portrayed digital portraits. The use of white lines towards forming compositions is a unique attempt by Md. Habib Ullah Bahar.

“Art Stories” is a platform for artists making use of their own unique ways to express their distinctive style through a variety of media. This exploration begets characteristic artworks that are sure to provide a fillip to the viewers.

The exhibition, open from Monday to Thursday (3pm to 9pm) and on Fridays and Saturdays (9am to12 noon and 5pm to 8pm), continues until November 10.