Anisuszzaman Sohel Painter's protest in paints

What drives artist Anisuszzaman Sohel in his art work? “In the society and time that I'm living in, there are many cases of misrule and mismanagement. There is an enormous amount of discontentment in society around us. For instance, in the fruits we buy, there is formalin, although one pays good money for it. Whether the people on the road are going to stab or shoot you; whether you are going to be chased or have cocktails thrown at you cannot be sure of. This was originally a beautiful country, and a beautiful world. But mankind is out to ruin it. I am not into politics. Yet the socio-economic and political life around me affects me -- as it does to every man. However, it is up to the artist to protest through his paints.
“It is undoubtedly so in the West. There is no security due to natural and man-made disasters. There is no security of life and possessions even in the most progressive countries, as in the US, with the latest flooding in Colorado. I am not saying that things are awry in Bangladesh alone. As I'm an artist, my language is universal. I want the entire world to be pollution and crime-free. I admit I'm daydreaming of a Utopia. Yet the ills on this universe have gone too far. As I'm not a into politics, and I'm not a magician, I'm well aware that I can't achieve my goal. I cannot entirely eliminate evil. The crime in society and the discontentment of mankind are my subjects.”
Yet his pictures are collectors' items, which are rare and which collectors buy to show the signs of the time. The colour and composition in his work is to sweeten the ugly side of life. He says that he cannot hang a butcher's knife. With simplicity, in his portrayal of his inner torment, he presents his self life caste, as doctors do when getting an impression for an artificial tooth.
Sohel says, that these feelings are not comfortable, like the inner pain that prevents him from sound sleep. Yet man strives for ease and is ready to pay heavily for it. For peace and tranquility we are prepared to sacrifice our bottom dollars – sell our bodies and even our souls. One cannot rest in peace, despite toiling the entire day, the artist insists. He does not wish to bring sweet flowers, birds and scenes of the exotic country side into his art. Buzzards, scalpels, large, sharp knives, fighter plans like the Apache helicopter. Even blood is presented in a manner that is acceptable.
Through his other series, “Moneytize” the patterns of the dollar and taka are picked up as a motif. In the space within, we get objects of destruction. There can be a hunting trap, which normally is used to catch an animal for food and fur. At times a gas mask or Apache Helicopter is used to raise one's fear of elements used for greed of money. Money talks, as we know. Through the greed for money we bring in many ills.
Says the artist, “Every artist is aware of right and wrong. It is up to the painter to depict what he wishes to represent, and what symbols to choose. I have chosen the composition in my own manner. Yes I have learnt from many teachers both here and in Tokyo, yet I have tried to maintain my own personality.”
The artists of Dadaism were out to shock the world to reformation. He also admires Surrealism, and Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso are his icons. He liked the High Renaissance time, Michelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci. He insists, however, that the application of the objects, is different from others. His approach is minimal, he believes.
Anisuszzaman Sohel's exhibition was held recently at Dhaka Art Center.