Marriage of art and industry: A book illustrates the Hamiduzzaman Sculpture Park

Bangladesh's first sculpture park was established in the Summit Gazipur 464 MW Power Plant in 2019. Hamiduzzaman Sculpture Park: Summit Gazipur 464 MW Power Plant, a recently launched coffee table book, compiles the artwork showcased in the park, the stories of its sculptures and the journey of renowned sculptor, Professor Hamiduzzaman Khan. 

Nasrul Hamid MP, Honourable State Minister, MPEMR, has lauded the initiative upon inspection of the sculpture park. "In the past nine years, I have visited numerous power plants but I have not been so moved by the sheer joy of creativity. Ekushey Padak winning Hamiduzzaman Sir [and] Aziz Khan have transformed the power plant into something else here", he said.  

Muhammed Aziz Khan, Chairman of Summit Group, said, "Seventy-percent of these beautiful sculptures are built from the leftover scraps of the Summit Gazipur (464 MW) Power Plant. The positive impact of this transformed landscape is clearly visible among the young engineers working here. I am grateful to my mentor, Prof Hamiduzzaman, and the Honourable State Minister for his continued encouragement."

The book comprises maps and photographs of the park's sculptures, Professor Hamiduzzaman Khan's own reflections on the space in an essay titled "My Sculpture Park", and an essay on the installations by artist and curator, Mustafa Zaman. 

Writing about the park, Professor Khan shares, "Here, I introduced industry and art as subjects. There are some distinct forms that are used to represent industry. What is electricity? Speed, always in motion." 

Alongside outlining the history of Professor Khan's work, Mustafa Zaman analyses the sculptures  in his essay, "The Art of Placemaking". The 50 installations in the park explore the zero or the circle as a geometric shape and the physiognomy of birds.  

The book launch ceremony in December was celebrated with a cultural programme in presence of artists and senior officials such as Sheela Pillai, Consul & Head of Mission from Consulate of the Republic of Singapore; artist Mainul Abedin; Vice-Chairs of Summit Group, Latif Khan, Farid Khan, and Jafer Ummeed Khan; Directors, Anjuman Aziz Khan, Ayesha Aziz Khan, Faisal Khan, Azeeza Aziz Khan ACCA; Managing Director of Summit Power Ltd Lieutenant General (Retd) Engineer Abdul Wadud; and Managing Director of Summit Gazipur II Power and Summit Ace Alliance Power, Engineer Md Mozammel Hossain, among others.

The book is available for free at the following website: Coffee -Table Book Hamiduzzaman Sculpture Park.