Moments and stories in paintbrushes

Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced.

— Leo Tolstoy 

In the world of art, paintbrushes hold the power to tell stories and capture moments of life and nature, which we tend to disregard and remain oblivious to. Shahnoor Mamun, in his solo exhibition, "Stories," inaugurated by eminent artist Chandra Shekhar Dey, captures these overlooked moments and reflects the relationship that both city dwellers and country dwellers have with every aspect of their surrounding nature.

Renowned watercolourist Shahnoor Mamun has a fiery passion for depicting nature and environment of Bangladesh in all its diverse glory. Throughout the years, he has captured the essence of the six seasons and the unique beauty each transition of nature holds. Through his artwork, Mamun draws viewers in to exemplify the connection between nature and soul; we, as human beings, are not only intertwined with nature, but also a part of it.

The fifty-five paintings displayed at Galleri Kaya located in Uttara sector-4, which Mamun has worked on from October 2017 to October 2019, incorporate watercolours with other mediums such as inks, charcoal, dry pastel, Chinese ink, and pen. Starting from the first moment of dawn to the last minutes of dusk, where people finally let loose in 'tongs' to talk about their day and socialise, the paintings capture the rush and the relief people experience throughout their day. The exhibition puts together these moments, which may appear minuscule to most of us, and tells a holistic story of urban life.

Mamun fuelled his creativity and passion by venturing out to different locations and experiencing these stories first-hand to reflect the truest reality and the rawest emotion in every stroke of the brush. In other words, Mamun has wholeheartedly immersed himself in the ambience of his surroundings and has reflected these soulful experiences onto the canvas.

As a nature watercolourist, Mamun believes in the philosophy of nature and says that he has tried to reflect "the silent scream within people" to be able to reconnect with nature and to preserve nature. In a way, through his intricate inking, Mamun encourages us to look outside our windows and acknowledge the comfort within the green and the priceless value of such natural tranquillity.

Walking into the exhibition, the viewers are not bombarded with an explosion of colours but with subtle and soothing tones of black and grey, and soft tones of vibrant colours, which slowly and gently reel one into a soul-soothing journey. The paintings not only capture moments and tell stories, but also captures the gloom one experiences in this fast-paced society, making the moments of relaxation more appreciated and valuable.

Mamun also shows the happy and the festive attitude of society through two painting where he vibrantly portrays the Puja festival. However, even in these festive works, the subtlety of colours makes one wonder, "are we moving too fast in this world and not appreciating these small moments?"

His works, which are dynamic yet create a sense of stability and tranquillity, depict images of solidary contemplation along with deep connections existing among humans and animals.

The peaceful and intimate moments which exist in human relationships, especially between a mother and her child, beautifully and successfully capture the essence of human connections.

Mamun has not failed to incorporate the position of street animals in our environment and how these animals are companions of human beings. Portraying images of resting animals and also their companionship redefines the purity of love and compassion.

The exhibition captures the intrinsic nature and indispensable quality of urban life and the simplicity which still exists in nature where human beings and nature are merged into one consciousness. It is a must-see for every person looking for a break from their hectic routine and seeking a chance to revitalise their soul.

Photo courtesy: Galleri Kaya

The exhibition will continue until December 7 from 11AM to 7:30PM daily.

For further details, visit: https://m.facebook.com/GalleriKaya