Looking into Rofique Ahmed’s canvas of romance, folktales and myths

Born in Satkhira in 1948, renowned artist Rofique Ahmed completed his BFA from the Department of Oriental Art, Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka in 1973. As an ICCR Scholar, He also completed his MFA in Mural Painting and Design from the M.S. University of Baroda, India, under Professor KG Subramanyan in 1977.

As a bold artist, Rofique Ahmed has depicted the romance of life, Bengal's folk-themed elements and mythical aspects on his canvases. His works scintillate with colours. His lines are dexterous, as he divides his compositions with colour separation.

He manages to make the viewers forget about the dismal aspects of life. The artist's works can also be seen from another aspect as he takes the viewers away from the ennui of urban existence into a dreamland of folk legends of Bangladesh. "I enjoy romantic themes and so, my work is idyllic and soothing. My compositions have traces of Abdus Shakoor, who has experimented with the Radha Krishna and Shakuntala series. The combination of flora and fauna, along with subjects of Bangladeshi fishermen, boatmen and other stylised subjects are other traits of my artworks," he says.

The artist won several accolades, such as the best award for Mural Painting and Design at the M.S. University in Vadodara, India and the Best Award in Oriental Painting from the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. He has taken part in over 40 group exhibitions, held both at home and abroad including India and South Korea.

His works are in the collections of Bangladesh National Museum, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka and many other private and institutional collectors in Bangladesh, UK, Germany, USA, India, Japan, Singapore, Iran, Sweden, China and Pakistan.