Woodprints of a city under construction
Artworks on display.
Anisuzzaman is one of the well-known printmakers of our country. His woodcut prints have become his claim to fame. Anis' work is a study of urban architecture, construction of human accommodation and a city's structural design.. His prints are closely related to geometrical and structural elements where one can easily sense his passion for the language of architecture.
However, Anis' works are not exclusively architectural; they are also concerned with economical and social issues. In the images, urban design has been linked to architecture by focusing on the physical form of the city. Anis' designs are mainly concerned with the shaping of outdoor spaces. His works are complete with varied vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines.
The artist's current solo exhibition, titled "Kaleidoscopic Complexity," is now on at Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhanmondi. The works have been done in woodcut on paper. He designs blocks out of plywood and then adds lines, textures and tones.
The works at the current exhibition can be divided into two groups. There are pallid and bright images, as well as dark and black images. The colours completely depend on printing palettes.
When Anis was a student of Fine Arts Institute (now, Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University), he studied construction and structural designs. For higher studies, he went to Rabindra Bharati University, India and Tama Art University, Japan. These periods of extended studies enriched his style and ideas. His series on certain themes earned much acclaim and the artist won a Grand Prize at the 13th Asian Art Biennale (Dhaka) in 2008, among other prestigious awards.
Over the course of time, Anis has been tirelessly experimenting with lines, forms, spaces, textures, tones and overall shapes and designs. He has gradually turned towards minimalism and has established this as a personal hallmark. This trait enables Anis to symbolically project our social and political dilemmas through his works.
At the exhibition, "Complexity-40" shows a building under construction -- with bamboo, iron rods and steel plates giving it a bare look. The image refers to the constant construction in the big city.
"Complexity-36" mingles several heterogeneous elements like abandoned wood, small iron pieces, steel containers and broken bricks. Anis meticulously presents these elements in a controlled manner where one can trace an aesthetic vision.
"Kaleidoscopic Complexity-3" demonstrates many delicate vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines -- lines that are pure in their straight linear extensions, expressing rhythmic notes. The lines create a calm ambiance, and the tonal effects give it a distinct look.
"Complexity-21" shows an unfinished structure where rods, bamboo and wooden chunks are clearly seen; some pillars and walls form a synchronisation. The uneven rods and flat wood are other impressive aspects of this piece.
"Kaleidoscopic Complexity" ends on August 22.
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