Distinct lines

Paintings by Safiuddin.

Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts has organised a two weeklong retrospective exhibition titled “The Limitless Luminosity of Art” of master artist Safiuddin Ahmed. The show was inaugurated on December 10. At the exhibition, his drawings (pencil, crayon, charcoal) watercolours and oil paintings are on display.
Prime Minister's Adviser HT Imam inaugurated the exhibition. Educationist Mustafa Nurul Islam and veteran painter Mustafa Monowar were special guests. Ali Reza Iftikhar, managing director of Eastern Bank Ltd was present as honourable guest at the inaugural programme.
Safiuddin Ahmed is the senior most artist in Bangladesh. He was born in Calcutta in 1922. His training in art began at Calcutta Government School of Art in 1936, where he started realistic oil paintings. During this period, he won a number of awards for his meticulous oil paintings. Later, he gave his full attention to engraving, dry point and etching. He was influenced by some veteran Indian printmakers --Mukul Dey, Abdul Moyeen and Romen Chakravarty.
Safiuddin has done a number of series where he mainly focuses on rural panorama, pastoral life, landscapes, memories of 1971, Language Movement, flood and other natural calamities and portrayed Santal life.
Black is the predominant aspect in most of his works. From the beginning, the maestro has been experimenting with black and its mysterious tones, tenors and layers of colour. Most of his colours look muted and the message was always that of peace and harmony for days to come. His paintings are technique-oriented as well.
Safiuddin has done very few works and he devotes much time to a single piece of painting and print. Line is another essential part of his paintings. His lines have created a distinct language where one can learn about his perseverance, longing and devotion to art.
At the exhibition, one of his crayon drawings delineates a rural fair where a horse cart and a gathering of people are noticeable. Two large trees give an exquisite look to the work. Dotted and tiny lines have enriched this realistic image.
At the exhibition, a number of Safiuddin's oil paintings depicted cattle with curved horns; the human figures were seen in geometrical form. The background remained a shadowy amalgamation of dark green and blue. Shades and tones of umber and blue had been used on the canvas.
In “The Path to Dumka-2” and “ Dumka Shal Forest ” one finds many trees in black, filled with leaves and branches, appealing a tranquil nature and its unending beauty. The simple use of shades of blue and black impart an unusual lyricism.
“A Book Stall in Paris ” portrays many books in different shelves at a bookshop. Mingling mauve, crimson, white at the work where a female figure has been highlighted.
“Still-Life”, a watercolour piece highlights various vegetables like cauliflower, brinjal, tomato, onion and papaya. “Landscape-5” depicts a greenery landscape where we can find his fondness for impressionism. The land looks sloppy.
“14 Angling” portrays a middle-aged man catching fish. The atmosphere looks gloomy and the man's passion and observation both tinted on the watercolour.