Colours from Balgo Hills

(Left)Dr. Justin Lee. Photo: Mumit M.

The Australian High Commission in Dhaka and Gallery Cosmos have arranged a feast for the art lovers of the city. An exhibition featuring 26 pieces of brilliant artwork by 18 Australian aboriginal artists have finally found their way to Dhaka after travelling around Asia -- from Mumbai to Colombo to Kathmandu. The exhibition -- to be held at Gallery Cosmos in Malibagh, Dhaka -- starts on April 1 and will continue till April 13.
The Art Bank, Australia's national art connoisseur, has gathered these paintings over many years from the western region of the country, more popularly known as the Balgo Hills. 'Balgo', as the exhibition is being called, is a word that [in Australia] embodies colours and exuberance. The exhibition showcases paintings that depict the stories of land and ancient philosophy through the eyes of the aboriginal people. Bright colours, patterns and dots create a captivating sight which will hold your attention; making you want to decipher the hidden code the painter has so expertly presented through his/her deft brushstrokes.
“The paintings speak of the land. Australia is a very vibrant country and that in itself allows these artists to work with vivid colours and portrays its unique geography,” said Dr. Justin Lee, Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
“Looking at these paintings is like looking at Australia from up above and what's fascinating is that these artists have never really had that view to have copied it. Some of the paintings also tell you stories about their daily lives and these stories reflect how unique their culture is,” he added.
Although these paintings are all inspired by ancient traditions, the brush work is quite contemporary. Bold, bright and colourful, the paintings speak in a way that is utterly modern, apparently abstract and quite exceptional.
There are also paintings on 'The Dreaming', a complex philosophical and religious concept of the Balgo people which narrates the evolution of the earth and stories of good fighting and triumphing over evil.
Hills and rivers running into each other, onion fields and flowery meadows, waterholes and every such natural aspect of the land has had an influence on these pieces of art but each is given its unique personality as seen fit by the painters. The abstract nature of the paintings lets you draw your own conclusion and then you read about the painting and your view is altered.
Then there are stories of valleys being created from women's tears and men piling stones to make a mountain and children getting lost while camping under the stars. How can such complex literature be articulated through patterns and paints you ask? One visit to this exhibition will provide you with the adequate answer.
“This form of art is one of the most ancient there is, not only in Australia but in the world,” Dr. Lee said. “It has evolved over the decades and has now become a very distinct and diverse form of art, very Australian and yet neither Western nor Aboriginal specifically.”
For those who are true lovers of paintings, this exhibition is a must see.