Of myth and heritage

Artist AR Rumy's third solo exhibit at the Alliance Francaise, “Puzzle of Myths”, expresses his taste, dreams and designs. He is an assistant professor of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University. The show began on August 7.

“Puzzle of Myths” becomes a display of aesthetic pieces, where the viewers; eyes are soothed by splashes of our heritage. The tradition and beliefs presented with subtle strokes of pen and brushes tell us stories of the past.

The sheetal pati, (floor mats of exclusive designs), sholar pakhi, nokshi kantha and ceremonial masks are a part of Rumy's collection.  His reds, yellows and black are reflective of his mindset.

Rumy's artworks reflect his sensitive self and balances between philosophy and technique. He is a passion-driven artist, and wishes to express his inner self so as to interpret his surroundings. He searches for the truth of his motherland, looking to express his fantasy to inquisitive viewers. The tone of his work expresses his mood and fancy. This is followed by his geometrical delicate work with pen and brush. With his art, Rumy strives to bring a change in the human heart.

In a watercolour work, he has a peacock in its typical colourful plumage. In watercolour, he presents a line of boats lined up in murky water in a mass of blue. With pen and ink, he presents a squiggle of more fish. The figure of a bird, cooking pot, a fish and an elephant are brought together in one work in pen and watercolour.

The flowers in the vase of another piece of work are of a delicate shade, on a mat with a stand. A Moghul emperor is seen with sword, knife in yet another work. 

The exhibition, dedicated to French anthropologist and ethnologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, remains open till August 22.