‘Monir–A Portrait of an Artist’: Understanding the man behind the art

The screening of the film, "Monir–A Portrait of an Artist", a window into the life of legendary Bangladeshi artist, Monirul Islam, was held at the auditorium of Liberation War Museum in Agargaon on June 24. The film has been directed by Ashique Mostafa.

The event was graced by the presence of veteran artist Mustafa Monwar, who in his speech spoke about his cherished memories with Monirul Islam back when they had a teacher-student relationship. Former Minister of Cultural Affairs and actor Asaduzzaman Noor was amongst the guests. Many senior artists such as Rafiqun Nabi, as well as architects such as Shamsul Wares and Luva Nahid Chowdhury were also present in the audience.

Monirul Islam was born in Islampur, Mymansing in 1943, when Bangladesh was still under British rule. He is known for his signature style and etching technique in art. He received two of Spain's top civilian awards, along with the Ekushey Padak from Bangladesh.

The artist has been living in Bangladesh for the last eight years. He occassionally visit Spain, where he is a citizen. Previously, he lived in Spain and taught painting to young artists. The film "Monir–A Portrait of an Artist" has been shot in both Bangladesh and Spain. Both Zainul Abedin and Mustafa Monwar were his gurus.

Through the film, we get to see Monirul Islam as not just as an artist, but also a human being, as he delves into his work philosophy and how he views art and life. Like most of us, he leads a simple life. He loves coffee, prays at the mosque, takes walks and talks to people from all walks of life, as though they were his friends. According to him, "Artists are conditioned by family, galleries, curators, and the market, but art itself is more powerful than the artist."

Monirul Islam also added that he had never faced any form of discrimination abroad and always felt at home in any country. His signature technique of etching like watercolour is known in Spanish as "Escuela de Monir" (School of Monir).

The film contains insight, simplicity, and depth, showing both the subject's simple grandeur as well as the filmmaker's elegance. Monirul Islam has spent 45 years in Spain. Yet, he still continues to be a humble person, who is friendly to even a street hawker from his birthplace.

Throughout his life, he has seen and intertwined both Bangladesh and Spain with his soul. He says that art style of a person is always changing as it develops. Like the people of Spain, he values the texture and colours of a painting. According to him, if someone wants to do something different, they must break their patterns again and again. This is how art should be, as well as a person's life.