Contemporary modern masters’ artworks at Dhaka Gallery

Artworks by and Mohammad Eunus

Art enthusiasts cannot but get amused with the delightful display of artworks by the 26 contemporary Bangladeshi master painters at Dhaka Gallery, a new establishment by Delvistaa Foundation at Banani, Dhaka. Apart from enjoying 48 masterpieces, art lovers will have the opportunity to observe the beauty of modern architecture and interior designs, changeable walls inside the gallery, aesthetic lighting and more at the art space that set sail on its journey by inaugurating this month-long group art exhibition titled Prologue 01 on July 13.

The exhibition is exclusive, with regard to its magnificent display of the exquisite artworks. Art connoisseurs are bound to get stunned with the large woodcut print, by Rafiqun Nabi, delineating a baby crow fallen from the nest, while a flock of adult crows surround it for its safety. Another one of the master artist’s woodcut pieces is an outstanding portrayal of waterscape coupled with folk forms boasting shimmering colours. Internationally famous artist Monirul Islam has depicted the tunnel of time and an abstract work that is evocative of searching light in the space.       

Artworks by Rokeya Sultana

Yet another internationally renowned artist, Shahabuddin Ahmed, has portrayed the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, while Kalidas Karmakar has depicted Alluvial Agony through a series of works.

The compositional beauty and the vastness of space together with the geometric forms in Samarjit Roy Choudhury’s work relay the feelings of pure joy. The poet of abstraction, Mohammad Eunus has portrayed his ideas on the canvas with the rhythmic sweeping of a brush. Renowned artist and architect Mustapha Khalid Palash’s series of artworks, titled Neo Horizon, is thoroughly satiating. The extremely modern composition and colours represent striking dimensions of architectural beauty. Hamiduzzaman Khan also depicted abstract work using deep purple.      

Abdul Mannan’s ode to the beautiful Bengal deserves accolades. The artist vividly depicted the vast landscape with oil on canvas. Crimson thickens throughout the monsoon sky while lemon yellow together with the dim purple reigns supreme in the fresh greenery of the riverine Bangladesh and her countryside.

Abdus Shakoor Shah’s treat with vibrant acrylic hues represent the folksy feminine grace of rural Bengal. The way the artist has portrayed the innocence of rural women with conventional folk motifs and forms makes the artworks seem like a lyrical ballad. Geometric space division together with brilliant colour separation adds a new dimension in his folk themed paintings.

One of the leading printmakers of the country Abul Barq Alvi’s works are evocative of the incorporation of Western experimentation and the far Eastern minimalism. The scholar has depicted the various facets of nature and a composition suggestive of dark memories.

The senior most artist Murtaza Baseer’s works are inspired by innovation that is testament of modernist experimentations. Art aficionados are sure to marvel at the etching while acquainting themselves with the prints by the living legend. Art is more than simply for visual pleasure for socio-politically conscious artist Nisar Hossain. The artist’s work titled A Diary from Hell is a superb depiction of imagination and thoughts. The subtle lines of the work having saturated treatment of red and black signifies the hellish feelings in our psyche.        

The symbol of peace is the focal point of Jamal Ahmed’s portrayal of pigeons. The artist has also depicted a bulky and curvaceous woman resting on a bed. The majesty of lying Buddha and the beauty of a Chakma girl are the themes that Kanak Chanpa Chakma’s works represent. The light, shade and the aesthetic treat of colours immediately draw the viewers’ attention as they come across Rokeya Sultana’s series works titled Earth, Water, Air (tempera on canvas).   

Among the other participating artists, Mohammad Iqbal has depicted the innocence and the illusion of distressed children’s eyes while Anisuzzaman Anis has portrayed vast woodcut prints, Redeeming Space and Kaleidoscopic Complexity.  Farida Zaman, Mahmudul Haque, Md. Muniruzzaman, Mostafizul Haque, Ranjit Das, Sheikh Afzal Hossain and Shishir Bhattacharjee’s works are no less important than the others. 

To commemorate the first exhibition, a book edited by Mustapha Khalid Palash was published and launched at the inaugural ceremony. The book features the synoptic biographies and portraits of all the 26 artists along with art criticism by eminent art critics and the plates of the paintings displayed in the exhibition.

Despite so many hindrances and unexpected obstacles, Delvistaa Foundation proudly announced the launch of Dhaka Gallery though this group exhibition for the visual artists. The gallery will meet the craving demands of discerning art lovers, collectors, audiences and artists, who were looking for an art gallery in this part of the capital. The exhibition, open from 3 pm to 8 pm daily, will conclude on August 9.