Focus on Sultan's genius

(L-R) Mahbub Jamil Shamim, Enam A. Chaudhury and Jeevan Mozai Safori at the discussion.

On June 17 at The Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct, a discussion was held on “Sultan's philosophy and artistry”. The discussion was a segment of the Precinct's current exhibition, 'Second Sight', an exhibition of selected works by SM Sultan from the private collection of Abul Khair.
The conversation on “Sultan's philosophy and artistry” was initiated by Enam A. Chaudhury, noted collector; Mahbub Jamil Shamim, of Charupeeth, Jessore and Jeevan Mozai Safori, an artist from Jessore. The trio knew Sheikh Mohammed Sultan personally.
In the course of the discussion, Chaudhury recalled Sultan and his exhibitions that were held in Jessore and Khulna. Chaudhury had the rare distinction of viewing Sultan's artworks of Kashmir. Sultan dropped out of  Calcutta Art School without completing his degree, said Chaudhury who asserted that Sultan wanted to explore the world and was not attracted to fame or a degree from art school. Chaudhury played a vital role in establishing Sultan's Shishu Swarga in Narail.
Mahbub Jamil Shamim was Sultan's student. Shamim talked of  Sultan's philosophy: “Our life is an art and the farmers are the artists”. He also pointed out that Sultan's exhibition at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (1976) was inspired by the Liberation War.
Artist Jeevan Mozai Safori believes that Sultan's art was for the masses.
The conversation was followed by question-time with the audience. Hanif, who is currently at the helm of SM Sultan-Bengal Art College, attended the event.
The exhibition, “Second Sight”, is on view until 8 pm on July 13, 2014. The Arts Precinct will remain closed on Sundays.