Semi-abstract with pulsating motifs

Working rhythm-2 (top) and Unknown faces-2 by Mohammad Iqbal

Mohammad Iqbal, who is doing his PhD in fine arts, is currently holding his solo exhibition at the Bengal Gallery, Dhanmondi. Most of his works are semi-abstract oils ranging from blues to pinks. Iqbal, who has been fascinated with drawing and painting from his childhood, was encouraged by his mother.
At the Institute of Fine Arts (IFA), Kazi Abdul Baset, Rafiqun Nabi and Mahbubul Amin -- his teachers -- guided and inspired him. Iqbal is also inspired by works of Picasso, Tapis and Miro. “When I was a student at IFA, we did a lot of outdoor and home based work, a practice which I feel is relaxed somewhat these days. We enjoyed studying forms and colours in Old Dhaka, Rayerbazar and the riverside such as Kamrangir Char,” says Iqbal.
The artist works in oil as it has greater longevity than most other mediums. Also he feels comfortable painting with oil rather than anything else. Staying and living in Japan, he says, he gets the opportunity to study masters who are exhibited at the galleries there. “Japan is progressive not only economically but also culturally,” Iqbal comments. He is happy with his teachers whom he finds very encouraging, in particular, Sakata Tetsuya. Iqbal says he misses home, but is impressed with the refined taste and etiquette of the Japanese people.
There are two types of work on display at the exhibition. Some of the pieces are abstract while in some he has brought in figures, with children's faces on large canvas. The exhibition titled “Distant Skies” deals with the ruination of our environment with pollution. Although we have progressed technically, there is an overwhelming fear of destruction of nature, Iqbal says. He is concerned by the adverse affect of civilisation.
“I love villages. I was born in Chuadanga. Even when I was studying at IFA in Dhaka, I would make time to go to my village. I do the same in Japan, where peoples' lives are mechanised. Huts, cows, birds and villagers -- fishermen and farmers -- are motifs in my work. The dots on my canvas are symbols of our untainted and pure past.
One of the paintings bear the faces of two children and a cow. According to the artist, the image recalls the '71 war when he was a child. The war in our country had stopped but it still rages in some Asian and African countries, he points out. Apart from warfare, there are diseases along with poverty and suffering in cases like natural calamities, such as floods and famines, he adds. It is the eyes of the children that reflect the insecurities, suffering and pain.
Another composition contains rural women at work, a goat and a boat. An old city is featured in the next painting and this includes more sketches of women and a horse, which is a relic of the past in our crammed urban existence. Iqbal paints directly on the canvas without any premeditated sketches to guide him. The artist has several prestigious awards to his credit including the Grand Prize at the 14th Memorial Exhibition of Aoki, Kurome City & Bridge Stone Art Museum.
The exhibition ends on September 18.