Time and its essence of the past, present and future are the main focus of self-taught artist Nafiuzzaman Nafi's solo exhibition, Shomoyer Kabyakala. 148 of the artist's works are currently on display at Dwip Gallery in Lalmatia. Such a concentration of work pulls away from the viewer's ability to give each artwork its adequate importance. Moreover, one might also opine that it inhibits an artist's body of work from giving meaning to the surrounding cultural context.

Photo: Kazi Salahuddin Razu

Since his exhibition on cubism in 2015, Nafi has explored different forms of expression. At the same time, his previous works' imprint can be found on his current paintings as well. He said that he worked in charcoal for an extensive period of time and has wandered into the use of colour in mixed media only of late. He makes use of backgrounds in washes of bright and vibrant hues with drawings in black in the foreground. His black marks create an almost abstract web among which figures of human masks, faces and animal figures such as cow heads, snakes and fish can be found. Two large paintings that take up an entire wall of the gallery stand out. They have almost luminescent like backgrounds of yellow and green respectively. Repetitive patterns and lines adorn the paintings among which eyes and figures jump out at the viewer and manage to have an overwhelming effect.

Nafi also mentioned that most of his artworks are conceptualised as he goes about his days absorbing the world around him especially with regards to current affairs. From matters such as corruptio, child abuse to the Holey Artisan attack in Dhaka, have all impacted Nafi in his art making.

The exhibition will run till January 29 from 3 pm to 9 pm. The venue remains closed on Mondays.e remains closed on Mondays.