“Into the Valley of Beauty” inaugurated at Zainul Gallery
A duet art exhibition titled “Into the Valley of Beauty” was inaugurated on November 18 at Zainul Gallery-2, Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), University of Dhaka (DU). Abul Khair, eminent art connoisseur, collector and Chairman of Bengal Foundation, inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest.
Professor Siddhartha Shankar Talukder [of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Rajshahi University] attended the ceremony as guest of honour. Dr. Malay Bala Chairman of the Department of Oriental Art, FFA, DU delivered welcome address. The featured artist duo -- Zahangir Alom and Suman Kumar Sarkar -- also spoke at the event. Professor Nisar Hossain, Dean, FFA, DU presided over the programme, hosted by Lata Samadder.
“The essence of artistic fantasy and fondness for nature and its elements are found in both the artist’s works. Zahangir Alom’s works evoke the feelings of tempera. He has used vibrant colours along with darks ones. He is a good journalist. If he continues his art practice alongside his professional job, he will do better as an artist someday,” said Abul Khair.
“Suman is my student. I need not make him learn how to do watercolours. He is one of the best watercolourists of our university. Zahangir Alom’s artworks have a surrealistic quality and predominantly influenced by the Oriental style,” said Siddhartha Shankar Talukder.
“The jugalbandi display of the artworks by Suman Kumar Sarkar and Zahangir Alom is really amazing. Many just pursue academic certificates on fine arts; but the non academic ones continue art practice following their passionate hearts. They are the real artists and there are many famous names, who are non-academic in nature, in the art milieu. Suman’s works are done following the British styles while Zahangir Alom’s artworks has rhythms that cannot confined to any art ‘ism’,” said Nisar Hossain.
The exhibition, opening from 11am to 8pm daily, will continue till 24 November.
The writer is the Chairman, Department of Oriental Art, University of Dhaka.