Diverse themes

A print by Rafi Haq.

Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts has organised a 12-day print exhibition titled “Awakening”. The show features works by five artists of 'Dhaka Printmakers'-- Rokeya Sultana, Ahmed Nazir, Rafi Haq, Rashid Amin and Mustafa Zaman.

Dr. Ranjit Kumar Biswas, NDC, Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest on June 8. Professor Abul Barq Alvi, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka and Syed Nasim Manzur, managing director of APEX Adelchi Footwear Ltd were present as special guests.

Dhaka Printmakers, a group of seven artists -- Rokeya Sultana, Ahmed Nazir, Rafi Haq, Rashid Amin, Mustafa Zaman, Humayra Rahman and Ashok Biswas came together for an exhibition in 1993. Behind their association lay the need to share ideas and to inform the public about the importance of printmaking.

At the exhibition, Ahmed Nazir's prints denote several human visages. The printmaker has worked in digital print with monochrome shades. His series is an incorporation of two individualities -- himself and his illustrious father, maestro Safiuddin Ahmed.

Rafi Haq is one of the earnest printmakers in the group. He loves to explore the rich and symbolic world of colours and study the changeable nature of forms. He uses many geometrical forms and shapes in his works.

Rashid Amin is inspired by landscapes and nature. The painter- printmaker gets the inspiration from his surroundings, and does not present them in a realistic way. The painter feels abstraction develops from reality. “In Search of Infinity” (etching aquatint), with minimal use of colours and lines -- both vertical and horizontal -- suggests dreams, sensitivity and sensuality.

Mustafa Zaman is distinguished for his experimental and scholastic approach. His prints are mingling of animals and human forms. His works are truly reflective of society.

The exhibition ends on June 19.