Colour of Time

Clockwise (from top-left) artworks by Mohammad Fakruzzaman, Md. Abdul Aziz, Md. Mahabubul Islam and Anisuzzaman.

A group art exhibition, titled “Colour of Time”, featuring the works of nine contemporary painters of Bangladesh, is now on at Gallery Chitrak, Dhanmondi. Participating painters are all graduates of Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), University of Dhaka.
At the group exhibition, Anisuzzaman and Mohammad Fakruzzaman are considered to be earnest painters. They have tried to maintain continuity in their works. The rest of the participating artists -- Md. Abdul Aziz, Md. Mahabubul Islam, Shahin Akther Lipi, Rajaul Islam Lovelu, Zahir Hossain Newton, Syed Mohammad Shamim and Fahmida Khatun -- are still searching for their respective niches.
Fakruzzaman lives and works in London. His works are composition based and forms are reposed. He often uses flat forms that are given volume and dimension by textured areas around them. Grey and black are the most dominant colours in his works. He is influenced by noted Bangladeshi painter Mohammad Kibria and Mark Rothko, a Russian born American painter. Besides painting, he has engaged himself with printmaking and collage.
Anisuzzaman teaches at the printmaking department of Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. He is an expert in woodcut prints. His focus is on urban development, especially its architectural aspects. Sharp lines help to create a distinct language. Various straight triangular and rectangular lines immerse in his works. His works mirror the rapid changes in the city -- highlighting the economical and social development.
Md. Abdul Aziz's watercolours have a sense of sophistication and tranquillity about them. The paintings are elegant with striking female figures and birds. Over the years--- birds, sitting women, contemplative and romantic belle are very recurring themes in his works. Most feature a light yellow shade turning into orange. Female forms take centre stage against kaleidoscopic backgrounds -- often drawing one's attention from the centre of the works. Simple, smooth and succinct in style, his “Girl with Bird” is one of finest works at the exhibition.
Md. Mahbubul Islam contemplates surrealism in his works. His “Simultaneity”, features a predatory bird, a TV screen, horse and a piece of wood. The colours seem animated for his quick brush strokes. His strokes are not polished but the objects in his paintings are closely connected to each other. His paintings' themes represent the unstable political and social condition.
Fahmida Khatun did her masters from the Oriental Department, FFA. Her works delve deep into our flora and fauna. Khatun's compositions are a celebration of colour, light and simple shapes and forms, inspired by nature. Her works are suggestive and rhythmic.
The exhibition ends on April 12.