Of colours, aesthetic contemplations and nature

Renowned visual artist Gulshan Hossain's 17th solo art exhibition begins today (January 16) at Athena Gallery of Fine Arts in the capital. The opening ceremony of the exhibition, titled “Reflections of Nature and Life”, will take place at 5.30pm.

Anis A Khan, Managing Director & CEO, Mutual Trust Bank Limited, will inaugurate the exhibition as Chief Guest. Eminent Artist-Professor Rafiqun Nabi will be present as guest of honour and Waliur Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Heritage Foundation & National Security will be present as special guests.

Over the years, the artist has developed a style of abstraction by exploring variations with different materials and techniques. Nature and its elements reign supreme in her newly developed abstract-realistic works. “Sound of Water”, a big work in acrylic, showcases the hilly landscape incorporating the murmuring sounds of waterfalls, the serene cerulean blue lake, small abodes on the lap on hills and the presence of life. A sense of vastness is noticeable in the celestial grain work.  

The artist's depiction of romanticism revolves around the music of silence; rain-drenched fresh greenery and vegetation; the illusion of moon and the mystery moonbeam; human figures, relationship and alienation, couples in a dreamy idyll; boats and fishermen. She has a penchant for using impressionistic colours, especially diverse tonal gradations of blue and green. The texture, depth, volume, colour balance, geometric and multilayered compositions, perspectives and a mystic game of light and shades say it all.

As a sensitive artist, Gulshan not only renders her sensuousness into canvas while serenading the affluent nature and universe, but also reveals her heartache for the adverse consequences on our earth due to greenhouse effects, ecological imbalance and environment pollution. She has a great empathy for victims, especially women. She has portrayed the burnt, pale and painful faces of acid victims and women workers who became victims of the Tazrin Garments tragedy.

“I have done several painting-based installations. The pain of suffering women or the faces of victims haunt me and I try to depict them true to my imagination and experiences,” the artist says.    

Gulshan is a multi-award winner, including Grand Award at the 16th Asian Art Biennial, Bangladesh; Bengal Foundation Award at the 20th National Art Exhibition, Bangladesh; Grand Award at International Art Symposium Autumn Inspiration Penza, Russia and more. She has 16 solo exhibitions in UK, Belgium, India and Bangladesh to her credit, and has participated in numerous group shows in around the world. Gulshan Hossain is also an Assistant Professor of MFA Department of Painting at UODA.

The exhibition will remain open from January 16 to February daily from 10 am to 8pm.