Artworks from the joint-exhibition.

To celebrate the 36th anniversary of Bangladesh-Thailand diplomatic relations, the Royal Thai Embassy has organised a joint watercolour exhibition at the Drik Gallery in Dhanmondi to highlight Thailand as seen by budding Bangladeshi artists, as well as Bangladesh seen by a prominent Thai watercolourist Dr. Suchart Vongthong. This veteran painter has also organised a workshop, which aims at sharing his experiences and skills with the promising painters of Bangladesh.
Watercolour is a medium where an artist can emphasise on serenity. The medium is very significant for its transparent, lucid temperament. Besides, it is an easy, economical and concise medium that can easily express the emotions, illusions and sensibility of the artist. The simplification of colour and its absorbing process are the main feature of watercolour technique.
In this exhibition, Bangladeshi painters have portrayed markets, temples, culture, traditions, festivals, landscapes, the way of life and the scenic beauty of Siam. A total of 28 painters have participated in the workshop conducted by Dr. Vongthong with nature as the dominant facet. The works are very vibrant and object-oriented. The mystery of mountains is incorporated in an animated way.
Another aspect of the participants' works is the expression of pure and pleasant perspectives. Most of the paintings try to avoid extraneous objects. And because of that, the paintings have a feeling of openness and freedom.
On the other hand, Dr. Vongthong is fascinated by the urban life in Dhaka. The city seems cheerful and humming with activity to the artist. City dwellers appear in his works. Other subjects are rickshaws, traffic jams, fruit markets, elderly women, life on Buriganga and different portions of Narayanganj.
Brilliant colours forming landscapes complemented by figures form a trademark in Dr. Vongthong's works. His paintings are tranquil depictions of nature and his strokes are refined and polished. In his uncomplicated compositions, colours like reds, blacks, emerald green, beige, yellow, azure and crimson are dominating. The themes are simple but his skilled artistic hand transforms them into something extraordinary.
The exhibition ends on September 27.

The writer is a freelance contributor.