ART in Pixels

The kiss

Artist Rabi Khan creates digital graphic paintings, exhibits them online and sells them in global arena. The digital print of “The Kiss”, one of his artworks has been sold more than 5000 pieces in the international market. Currently living in Bangladesh, Rabi Khan is also setting his foot in another media, installation art and has done a number of projects in different parts of our country. This creative soul is not only making a landmark in digital painting, but also representing our country in the global platform through his phenomenal works.

The mindset of being an artist
Rabi Khan remembers having a house tutor in his childhood who drew a flower on his notebook. “I could never know what was in that flower that made me start making paintings right away. At that age everything seemed like a canvas to me: the sand, the soil, the wall, my notebooks,” Rabi recalls. “My grandfather used to be an illustrator during the British period. Later I saw his illustrated book covers and I believe that my affinity towards art has always been in my genes. But I used to consider it my hobby, a pass-time that made me happy.”

The leap from a hobby to profession
Before going to Canada in 1992, Rabi Khan never had any formal training in fine arts. When he got to Canada he found a whole new life welcoming him. Survival was a major issue, so he joined Bangla Barta, a Bengali community journal of art, literature and statecraft, as a volunteer. Besides he had to spend a great deal of time doing odd jobs. “Life made me realise that what I do best is art and I should take it as my profession.” Therefore in order to pursue his career further he got himself enlisted in a one year computer graphics course in College Inter-Dec in Montreal. "Hard work pays off, my result in that course proved that one more time. I topped the course with the highest number," he adds.

The artist and his reflection

When your phobia turns into your greatest friend
Rabi Khan is a man who not only fights his fear, but also has made it his best friend. He explains, “I am a technophobic man, I used to stay away from using mobile phones. In the second semester of my course in Canada, I obtained very poor marks only because the semester was all about introduction to computer and digital art.” Then he decided to spend almost all his day with that tool to conquer his fear. “At present technology and I work hand in hand. I make art on a computer screen, post it on a website and sell it online,” Rabi Khan says with a confident smile.
Do you see what I see?

“Oh dear!
Please stop and stare...
Do you see, what I see?
If you do, please stop and share
I guess all I really want, is to share…”

Installation art made with his son’s toys

Once Rabi Khan was asked by a group of students what inspired his art. For them and other art lovers, he conveys his message through a poetic expression “Do you See What I see”.
He believes that his artistic inspirations are all around him. “Nature, its elements and textures help me unleash my creativity. When I see the textures on the wall, when I see clouds merging into each other making different shapes, when I see the floating oil or petrol creating patterns and colourful fluid impressions on the water I get the spark in me,” he explains while dramatically pointing towards the sky, grass and earth.

The family that bolsters the artist  
“Like nature, my family also creates a positive synergy in me”, Rabi says in a content voice. “Some of my artworks were inspired at the time when my wife was pregnant. I was overwhelmed with the way she was undergoing gradual physical changes and helping another soul to bloom.” The artist believes that his best works are yet to come, “However, at this moment if I am asked to speak about my favorite art pieces I would say 'The birth' and 'Safe in her Arms'. Both of the pieces are the depiction of my wife's motherhood and my son's birth.”

Digital art media in contrast to traditional art media
“I don't think traditional art media and digital art stand in opposite poles”, he says. Rabi Khan perceives that they are similar in a way that both require a creative mind, thought process and design principles before immersing into the process. “Digital painting is just another media like oil colour or acrylic. The difference is instead of brush, oil or paint; I use my computer as a tool,” Rabi opines.

Digital art- the next revolution in art
“I think Bangladesh is buzzing with opportunities and creativity in the digital art scene. However for those who are looking for a break in this sector, I would recommend you to target the global market as well.” Rabi points out that lack of ample infrastructure might be considered as one of the obstacles in developing digital art media. “We don't have access to online payment gateway like PayPal which makes entering the global market a hard task. But I hope we can excel in this area with the potential that we have got,” says Rabi Khan optimistically.

Photos: Rabi Khan