Shahabuddin The Painter, The Fighter

A 14-day (August 8-21) photography exhibition featuring a biographical documentary of internationally famed Bangladeshi painter Shahabuddin Ahmed is on at Zainul Gallery of Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), University of Dhaka. The exhibition is open from 10am to 10pm everyday.
Inspired by eminent photographer Nasir Ali Mamun's unique work on legendary artist SM Sultan, talented photographer Iftekhar Wahid Iftee caught a number of beautiful images of the Paris-based artist through the last seven years.
Under the title “Shahabuddin The Painter, The Fighter”, the exhibition showcases over 50 images of the painter in 42 frames. The 42 frames including a big collage actually symbolise 42 years of our achieving Independence, according to the photographer.
Bold strokes, vibrant colours and figurative expressions are the hallmark of Freedom Fighter Shahabuddin Ahmed's works. The conscience and the indomitable spirit of Liberation War have frequently appeared as prominent connotations on Shahabuddin's canvas. Images at the exhibition depict the artist's diverse moods, expressions, blissful moments, inner joys and many more. Several images stand out as those arrest the artist's intimate affinities with nature. Kashphul, a dominant flower of the season Autumn, appears to be a favourite of the artist in two brilliant images. Rapture reigns supreme in a rare image where smiles of an artist (Shahabuddin Ahmed) and an actress (Shabana Azmi) seem never ending. Iftee has tamed the art of silhouette in an image that captures Shahabuddin Ahmed and Nasir Ali Mamun together. Another image shows Shahabuddin's throwing of dance mudra with his two daughters.

Iftee, a disciple of noted photographer Imtiaz Alam Beg, has a photographic career spanning over two decades. This is Iftee's fifth solo photography exhibition. In his previous four solo exhibits, the photographer showcased both creative and portrait photographs including one focusing on renowned media personality Shykh Seraj under the title “Son of the Soil”.
Shahabuddin Ahmed inaugurated the exhibition by depicting a painting on canvas at the entrance of the gallery. Presidium member of Bangladesh Awami League Nuh-Alam-Lelin graced the inaugural as chief guest while Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Dean of FFA Abul Barq Alvi, cultural personality Nasiruddin Yousuff and poet Belal Chowdhury were present as special guests.

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