Celebrating the best of Inktober

Talent may be the key ingredient, but nothing was ever accomplished without discipline. To this end, American illustrator Jake Parker started the Inktober drawing challenge in 2009. What began as an attempt to improve his skills and develop positive drawing habits has now developed into a worldwide affair with hundreds of participants. For the month of October, artists all over the globe make drawings and post them online and this year's Inktober challenge saw a spectacular reception from Bangladeshi artists.

Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Inktober Bangladesh 2018, a first of its kind exhibition arranged by Cartoon People, bears testament to the inspiration the drawing challenge has instilled in artists of our country. Cartoon People is a group of Bangladeshi cartoonists and visual storytellers who have been working actively with cartoon, comics and animation since 2016. They hold workshops and create tutorials for their members so that they can develop their drawing skills. As the goals of both Inktober and Cartoon People align, they have arranged the exhibition in collaboration with EMK Center.

For the occasion, Cartoon People called for drawings from artists through e-mail and their official Facebook page and group. From the submitted pieces, the top 100 artworks and top 25 sketchbooks are on display at the event, which is a celebration that brings together both accomplished and budding artists under one roof. “Inktober Bangladesh 2018 is our attempt to provide artists an avenue to watch one another's works, exchange experiences and make connections,” says Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, the founder of Cartoon People. “I was surprised by the number of sketchbooks we received for the exhibition, given that people usually shy away from showing their doodles in their sketchbooks – but it seems like there is a liking for drawings with ink amongst artists here.” The works at the exhibition showcase the innovative minds of the artists, who have touched upon everything from personal emotions to social issues through their talents.

“Inktober is a great way to get rid of an artist's block,” says Nafisa Anjum, a participating artist of the exhibition and a student of Viqarunnisa Noon School & College. “I was initially struggling, but as the month went by, I was able to represent my ideas quite clearly.” Three of Nafisa's artworks were selected for the exhibition. Mahatab Rasheed, a student of Udayan Higher Secondary School, is also one of the participating artists. This year, his Inktober drawings were based on his favourite English and Bangla songs. He thinks that Inktober is an inspiring challenge. Noted cartoonist and editor of Unmad, Ahsan Habib, artist Bishwajit Goswami and director of EMK center, Naveed Akbar, were special guests at the inauguration ceremony on November 2. The exhibition will be open till November 17. A live figure drawing session will also be arranged during the event on November 10.

Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed