Of melody, colours and the essence of nature

Only the sensitive artist has the opportunity to have internal dialogues. Noted painter Reza Asad Al Huda Anupam, also the Chairman and an Associate Professor at the Department of Graphic Design, University of Dhaka, is such a fortunate individual. The award winning artist spent his childhood in the idyllic ambience of his home. He thinks of himself as an instrumentalist with his paint and brush. Weaving the threads of his imagination, he renders his emotions on the canvas, contemplating the chronicles of his life in the present, past and future.

The artist's solo painting exhibition titled “Chronicle of Existence” opens today (September 22) at 5:30pm at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka. Eminent artist Professor Samarjit Roy Chowdhury will inaugurate the show as chief guest while eminent artist Professor Mohammad Eunus will attend as special guest.

“The myths and legends that we receive as legacy from our ancestors dance with the joy of life like a surreal stream of consciousness. The convivial sounds morph their shapes into a sweet melancholy in the landscapes drawn on forgotten walls. These phenomena can give us the tools to interpret what I create in abstract forms and narratives,” said Anupam.

“I see colours and various lines in nature, rivers and the landscapes at both sides of the highways from Dhaka to Kushtia, my home district. I specifically behold colours and forms of nature that fascinate me and I depict the essence of it in my own style. Only melodies, not words, can express the feelings that play in me. Like the rhythm of rain or the murmuring sound of a fountain can create music, I just portray my aesthetic contemplations emanating from nature. An artist can never be satisfied with their artistic efforts. It is like the infinite imagery formed by the melody of classical music. I can only render the portions from the feelings that I receive and visualise from the melodies,” added the artist.

“I roamed around Panam City in Sonargaon and Lalbagh Fort the other day. I touched the walls of the ancient buildings and thought of the thousand stories embedded within the walls that bear the testimony of time and history. I also felt love, melancholy and joy while I found drawings, parasites and tales in the cracks of the walls. Based on the reflection and imagination of my visits, I depicted the series of paintings called 'Narratives Wall'. Besides, I portrayed landscapes, the mystic aura of Fakir Lalon Shah and his philosophy,” he continued.

“Now I portray pure abstraction. Once I was awestruck by the songs of doves at noon when the silence of the sunlight prevails in quiet nature. How can I express the feeling of hearing the songs of the doves with words? I don't understand classical music, but I love listening to it. Many don't understand abstract art. So what? The joy is far more important, which is what matters. Nature is the best creator and not I. I am just an imitator. All the forms and shapes are found in nature. Abstract art evokes the essence of emotions mingled with colours. Time and space are two important dimensions of nature while love is the prime catalyst of any creation,” concluded the artist.

The exhibition is open until 6 October from Monday to Thursday (from 3pm to 9pm) and on Fridays and Saturdays (from 9am to 12 noon and 5pm to 8pm).