A journey within

Artwork by Mohammad Tokon

In the '90s, a number of Bangladeshi painters went overseas for higher education. They wanted to explore novel themes and master new techniques. Most of them are abstract painters; colours and forms are the primary aspects of their paintings. Mohammad Tokon is one such promising painter from Bangladesh who has been living in New York for over nine years. After graduating from the Institute of Fine Arts (now Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka), he left the country for the US. He had his higher education in Communication Design at The City University of New York. He is also a graphic designer. His solo painting exhibition, titled “Destination Unknown”, is now on at Sky Lobby Gallery in New York.
Before leaving for New York, Tokon spent most of his time in Jhenidah and Dhaka. City life, the surrounding atmosphere and social structure have made a great impact on him.
Tokon's works plunge deep into nature, human relationships, personal loss, social injustice, physiological journey and inner visions. His works are closely connected to dreams and illusions. He naturally uses flat colours and creates many textures and forms on the canvas. His works are mainly colour- based and varied pigments give a distinct language to his works. His works are pure abstract and have a great touch of impressionism. His compositions are not neatly organised, sometimes revealing uneven texture and sensuous arrangement of space. Space plays a significant role in his works. His works clearly articulate nature's unseen and unobserved beauty. In his use of colour, he has displayed a certain romantic concern for vivacious, lively hues and soulful texture.
Occasionally unfamiliar forms are scattered in his paintings that create a different look. His paintings stand out for their approach to figures and objects, which are not usually focused. His colours occasionally look smooth and tranquil, which provide a watercolour effect in his works. Colours are the predominant aspect in his paintings and the paintings are marked by a preoccupation with time, history and moment. Tokon's works also convey an insight into life and a spiritual attachment.