Chitrokola Gallery -- Bangladesh's first 3-D virtual gallery, has organised a solo art exhibition, titled Pandemic Mood: Freedom in the days of Corona, by renowned artist-professor Mostafizul Haque. The artist's 35 works, done from March 20 to date, will be exhibited in the gallery. 50 percent of the proceeds from the sales will be spent for the welfare of corona-affected individuals.              .

The exhibition has been dedicated to recently deceased Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology Chairman, Freedom Fighter Md Imamul Kabir Shanto.

"Professor Mostafizul Haque has used the lockdown time in a creative way. He portrayed birds, who are essentially free, while humans are somewhat captive," mentions Rafique Sulayman, Curator, Buriganga Arts & Crafts, Dhaka. "The series of paintings, derived from his thoughtfulness and classic visions, has been painted with love, and composed with philosophical aspects. He loves to create an interplay of colours and forms, with the movement of birds. In each of his composition we discover different shades of beauty. This is how a great artist works. I wish the exposition a grand success."

Artist Mostafizul Haque is a Professor at the Department of Drawing and Painting, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka. Born in Rampal, Bagerhat, he has completed his BFA and MFA from the same department he is now teaching now. He also completed his MFA with research in 'Japanese Style of Painting' from the University of Tsukuba, Japan. Apart from teaching at FFA, DU, he has been teaching Fine Art at Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology and two other art schools in Dhaka for four and a half decades.  For diffusing art education among the children he is a unique name. The artist also has a Tagore song album titled Amar Hiyar Majhe to his credit.

"I love to work with children. I firmly believe that if we want an artistically enlightened generation, we must diffuse the light of art education among the children. That is why I, along with my friend and brother-in-law Imamul Kabir Shanto, established childrens' art schools and Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology. His untimely demise has shocked me greatly; but I am determined to carry his dreams forward," said Mostafizul Haque.  

The online opening of the show will take place today (June 15) at 10 pm. Country's renowned artists, art critics, the organizers and the featured artist will take part in the opening ceremony. Eminent artist Professor Rafiqun Nabi will grace the opening ceremony as chief guest. Renowned artist and Dean of the Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), University of Dhaka (DU) Professor Nisar Hossain, eminent litterateur and art critic Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, internationally acclaimed artist Professor Mahmudul Haque and Professor Mostafizul Haque will deliver their speeches about the displayed artworks and the exhibition.

Besides, five of his artworks will be showcased live in details every day at 10 pm on Facebook and YouTube. Art lovers can watch the 24-hour live show through virtual tour by logging onto www.chitrakolagallery.com

The exhibition will continue until June 30. To watch live opening programme from facebook page :