Plunging into folk motifs

Folk motifs are a signature of Abdus Shakoor's works.

Celebrated painter Abdus Shakoor Shah's solo painting exhibition titled “Bangladesh” was held recently at a local gallery in Tokyo. The exhibition inaugurated on July 12, ended yesterday. A number of Japanese painters, senior officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo and art enthusiasts attended the inaugural session. With 30 drawings on display this was Shakoor's second solo exhibition in Japan.
Shakoor is widely recognised for his folk motifs and ballads. A large span of his career (from 1996), he has been working on folk motifs. The ballads of “Mymensingh Geetika” -- the famous Mahua and Malua love stories, “Nakshi Kanthar Maath”, “Gazir Pat” and “Manasha Pat” are recurring themes in his works. Shakoor uses human visages, both male and female, varied decorative motifs and animal figures such as elephants, bulls, dogs, cats, tigers, parrots, peacocks, birds and serpents.
About the exhibition and the exhibition's theme, Shakoor said, “I try to present my country in my works. I want to symbolise the country, its traditions, and carnivals as my subjects.” Blue, black, yellow, white and crimson are used predominantly, giving a meditative approach to Shakoor's characters. The intense backgrounds give the viewers a romantic and imposing view. At the exhibition, his ink drawings are done in contour, with a feeling of space on the background, which gives the composition a certain likeness to portraits.
Shakoor has won many awards. He has participated in over 100 group exhibitions in places like USA, England, Poland, Argentina, Japan, France, China, Iran, Panama, Italy and India. He has also held several solo exhibitions in the country and abroad.