Art supply in Dhaka
Whether we consider ourselves connoisseurs or not, it goes without saying that our lives are surrounded with art. From the paintings or décor items that hang on our living room walls, to the colour of the walls themselves, art is everywhere.
But what is art without art supplies? How do you create what you have imagined, without a simple paper and pencil? How do you make it look beautiful without filling it with colours? Van Gogh would not be Van Gogh without his easel and brush!
NEW MARKET
New market is without a doubt the most famous haunt for any artist or art student. They have the maximum variety of art supply and stock everything from the easel to brush to art paper in different grades and weights and fine point drawing pens. You name it they have it.
They offer products ranging from the most expensive to the most affordable, thus suiting everyone's pockets.
Modern Stationary and Pubali Stationary are the two shops in New Market which are reputed for their wide range of art material and equipment. Jannatul Ferdous Moumeeta, a Bachelor of Fine Arts, 4th year student, in the Department of Drawing and Painting at Jahangirnagar University, frequents New Market to replenish her art supplies. "New Market is the best place to go to, to buy art material. That is where I buy all the material I need for my university" she said.
DHANMONDI
A relatively unknown art shop, KHS International is situated at House 19, Road 16 (new) or 27 (old), Dhanmondi. This shop does not even have a sign board with its name on it. Hidden behind a grey gate in a private residence, one literally has to knock and ask the security guard if there is indeed an art shop inside.
Mohammad Mohiuddin, the shop manager said, "There is no sign board outside because we do not want to commercialise the shop. This shop exists because of the owner's passion for art and is known to only a small community of artists and students."
Their clientele, however, has increased over the years because news of its existence has spread by word of mouth and because of the superior quality of their products.
Umme Salma Shabbir, an Advance Level student, who has taken Art as one of her subjects, was introduced to KHS International Art shop by her Art tutor. She says, "I get 90 percent of my art supplies from KHS International since its location is very convenient for me; my art classes are in Dhanmondi itself. Moreover, their art material is top notch so I do not feel the need to go elsewhere."
SHAHBAGH
Another very popular place to get good quality and good variety of art supply is Grasshopper, a shop on the 3rd level of Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh. Located close to the university area, this shop is also a regular haunt for art students and artists. It is well stocked with all the latest art materials and equipment.
There was once a time when artists used to create their own art materials. Pablo Picasso is known to have used house paint for his art work. Luckily, modern artists have a wide variety of art supplies readily available and these supplies play a crucial role in what the final product looks like.
Merely changing the supplies of an art work can give it a different look. So all you art buffs go forth, buy and experiment.
Happy shopping!
By Samina Hossain
Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed