Behind Tejosh Halder Josh’s powerful sculptures

Tejosh Halder Josh is a skilled sculptor from Gopalganj, Bangladesh. Born in 1982, he had an affinity towards sculpting since childhood. It first grew in the second grade, when he was asked to create a structure out of mud. Sculpting amuses him, as he finds power in being able to physically touch his art. Tejosh is also drawn towards the materials used in his art, due to their unique properties. 

The sculptor has completed his bachelor's and master's from the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka in 2007 and Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan, India, in 2010, respectively. His muses are the works of Henry Moore, Alberto Giacometti, Michelangelo, Ramkinkar Baij, Frances Segelman, and the sculptures sold in markets of rural Bangladesh.

Tejosh connects research with his works. His sculptures are focused on a variety of topics, ranging from society, people, politics, religion, spirituality and existential questions centering on the connections between the universe and humans and who are humans. However, he does not explicitly put across his ideas as he prefers leaving his works up to the audience's interpretation, allowing them to relate to his work and find the joy in discovering on their own.

Sculptures by Tejosh Halder

The artist recounts his student life when people liked his sculptures, but this did not necessarily guarantee their sale. He was only able to sell 2-3 pieces every year. Hence, as an artist, one needs to go through an arduous phase of time when s/he has to invest money for his/her art from a different source and stay very patient.

Such a phase of time may even extend till one's death. The sculptor says that he is still going through the phase and will only deem himself as successful after its passing. He furthers that when he is working, he is traversing through a particular period of time, which is actually shaping his future.

Tejosh also opines that an artist's journey is more challenging in our country as it still follows an age-old curriculum, which creates lesser opportunities for skilled artists. Although the market for art is rich, people hardly know artists. There is also an absence of connection between artists and the wealthy, middle class, and a dearth of advertising facilities, art agents, media exposure and platforms such as a private art museum for showcasing their works.

Sculptures by Tejosh Halder

Until now, Tejosh Halder Josh has had one solo exhibition, 28 group exhibitions, 6 workshops and 7 major commissions. He is also the recipient of the following awards and scholarships: Media Best Award (2006 and 2008), Honorable Mention Award (2006), Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Gold Medal (2005), Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati-Scholarship (2010), Bengal Group Scholarship (2008, 2009 and 2010).

Currently, he is working on a project as a commission for a certain organization. He briefly describes it as the figure of a sun, at the centre of which, the word 'Imagine' is written. Its rays extend as a chain of human figures, depicting the growth of population.