Bangladeshi painters shine in the US

Clockwise (from top-left) artworks by Monirul Islam, Ranjit Das and Mustaque Ahmed.

Gallery Chitrak, Dhaka and Bangladeshi American Art Gallery, USA jointly organised a group art exhibition at Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania. The exhibition kicked off on September 27 and will continue over the next two months. The group includes Shafiuddin Ahmed and Mohammad Kibria -- two senior-most painters of Bangladesh. Other renowned artists like Monirul Islam, Qayyum Chowdhury, Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, Hashem Khan and Rafiqun Nabi works have also enriched the exhibition.
Some painters of the late '60s like Kalidas Karmakar, Hamiduzzaman Khan, Shahid Kabir and Abul Barq Alvi's forms, compositions and line-oriented works have given a distinct look to the display. Representing the '70s and '80s artists are Alakesh Ghosh, Shahabuddin Ahmed, Ranjit Das, Mohammad Eunus, Jamal Ahmed, Nisar Hossain, Muniruzzaman, Kanak Chanpa Chakma and Shamsuddoha.
Over the last few years, Bangladeshi painters have had the chance to exhibit their works in major galleries all over the world. These exhibitions help our painters gain recognition abroad. It should also be noted that some Bangladeshi painters' works have been selected by several well-recognised auction houses in Europe and America.
Mohammad Kibria is a non-figurative painter. From early in his career, he tends to experiment with geometrical forms and texture. Blue, black, grey, orange and brown have been dominantly used in his works. At the exhibition, his etching is relatively more appealing for its uneven composition.
Samarjit Roy Chowdhury's folk orientation has earned him a firm position in our art. Birds, fish and scattered lines are noticeable in his works featured at the US exhibition. His works presently look all the more serene and alluring for his meticulous use of space and composition.
Hashem Khan likes to portray rural life and daily chores. His painting gives voice to the masses of our country. Green and yellow have been predominantly used in his works that are on display at the exhibition. Various abstract forms also find a place on his canvas. The artist is fastidious about his use of space, which gives an outstanding depth to his work.
Rafiqun Nabi's “Tokai” delves deep into a life of street children. The drawing gives a satirical image of society. As an admirer of nature, the artist has depicted fishermen at work in deep sea. Figures and boats criss-cross over the painting. The canvas is mainly dominated by blue. The works are done in acrylic on canvas. Nabi is also critically acclaimed for his woodcut engraving.
Monirul Islam's “Old Symphony” is an acrylic piece with eloquent lines and subdued colours. Space is an integral feature of his works. Both tranquillity and transparency are extremely unique characteristics in his printmaking. The artist likes to reminiscence on his past through his work. He is famous for his printmaking, particularly in etching and aquatint.
AKM Alamgir Huque is not a figurative or objective painter. He now lives and works in Canada. Once the painter was famed for his persuasive printmaking. He was influenced by Mohammad Kibria and Mark Rothko. He gradually transformed himself as an abstract landscape painter. He portrays nature and its mysterious phases through his personal views and experiences. He uses sweeping strokes, which bring an animated hallmark to his works. His strokes, lines and sprinkled dots create a language, which is unfamiliar and intriguing.
Mustaque Ahmed is a self-taught artist, who has been quite active in the Dhaka art circuit over the years. He works on varied subjects. “The Nature” is one of the evocative works that mingles emerald green and yellow. The work is mainly composition-based and focuses on Bangladeshi seasons. He meticulously arranges forms and colours in his works. In his canvases, colours create a distinct and expressive language.
Jamal Ahmed is recognised for portraying women in their diverse moods, as well as riverine and rural landscapes. In his “Woman and River,” the shore looks serene and has an impressive view. A boat is also noticeable in the work.
Ranjit Das is celebrated for his flamboyant style and stimulating themes. Ranjit's works have close ties to the bucolic countryside and the rural way of life. His “Jovial Mood-11/12” affluently articulates two teenage girls' dreams and hopes. A large number of Ranjit's works depict villagers with domesticated and wild animals. Their passion, woes, bliss and aspirations emerge on his canvas. All his works have in the background a story, which is familiar to us. His works give the viewer a real picture of our socio-political and economic structure.
The exhibition at Clifton Heights ends on November 27.