Capturing time eternal and space unusual

Time and space are two important things of the universe. Talented artist Abdul Gaffar Babu has tried to capture the impression of time with making the best use of space in his artworks over the years. Taking printmaking as his forte, he has portrayed numerous artworks on diverse media. The artist's solo exhibition was inaugurated on November 19 at La Gallerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka. 

President and CEO of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute Farooq Sobhan inaugurated exhibition as chief guest. Professor Abul Barq Alvi, former Dean, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka and Professor Shishir Bhattacharje of the Department of Drawing and Painting, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka attended the event as special guests. Art critic and editor of Depart, Mostafa Zaman was present as the guest of honour.

This dedicated artist loves to experiment with unusual materials in making his unique art pieces. Babu is fascinated with the cult of Buddhism and its supreme personality Siddhartha or Gautama. He has depicted many faces and shades of Buddha. The artist has focused on the portrayal of the inner spirit, illumination and sagacity of meditative Siddhartha who apparently seems to quest of Nirvana. Babu always craves for a peaceful world and, for this reason; his artistic pursuits revolve around the enlightened Buddha. 

Aside from the “Siddhartha Believes” series, he has many other artworks to display at the exhibition. His close affinity to the simple life and heritage of the country is inherent. The multifarious aspects of nature coupled with the diverse ways of folksy life are conspicuous in many of his works. The repertoire of his depiction varies from a simple life of a fisherman to the minute details of a butterfly. The connotation of mysticism is apparent in his artwork series titled “Platform”. A rare game of light and shades is visible in the works that evoke apocalyptic vision. 

The lines, scribbles, dots and some geometric forms are marked by his artworks. Mature colours and balanced composition are other aspects of his style. 

The exhibition is open from Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 9pm, and from Friday to Saturday from 9am to12 noon and from 5pm to 8pm, till November 29.