Life as a tapestry

Artworks on display.

“As far as I know, very few artists are working in the medium of tapestry. It is my favourite because it gives me a kind of freedom to make an insightful journey into the medium. I like to portray images that can easily be comprehended. I believe in changing motifs but my focus is my individual language,” said Tajul Islam, one of the leading tapestry artists of our country.
Tajul is not a blind follower of abstract art, nor has he ever used motifs, which are difficult to understand. He just takes the form of the style and uses it to portray subjects from our cultural background. The tapestries of Tajul depict subjects that are intimately connected to the cultural heritage of the country.
His solo tapestry exhibition is now on at Gallery Jolrong in Banani.
The artist has been inspired by his teacher Rashid Chowdhury, and has proven his individuality particularly in terms of pattern and colour composition. Vibrant colours, pure geometric compositions, floral imagery and organic forms are recurring features in his tapestries. He continuously experiments on novel forms and mind-boggling shapes.
About his working process, Tajul said, “I first make a layout, which is the prime structure for my works. When I concentrate on layout, varied familiar and unfamiliar shapes (from nature) come to my mind.”
At the exhibition, a number of his tapestries feature coffee (colour), blue, black and red. The artist is deeply inspired by vegetation, waves, flowers, thick bushes and plants. Many of his tapestries reveal surrealistic images where forms and human figures merge. He has created many waves, curves and fragmented visions where one can find the rhythms of melody. His tapestries are lavish with abstract images. But this abstraction does not hamper the viewers' perception of the artist's feelings and thoughts.
At the exhibition, Tajul has used vivacious colours in the centre of the tapestry and dark shades like black and ash-brown in the background to create a contrast. The artist has also chosen to use azure, white, black, crimson, green and brown for the background. Some of his works have a gray background and is in red, blue and black shades.
As a nature enthusiast, Tajul tries to present synchronisation of colours in his works with a great affection. He has used colours with flamboyant splendour to give a distinct message through his works.
The exhibition ends on March 9.