Jayanta Mondal’s ‘Rotation of Time’ portrays evolution of time and society

Jayanta Mondal's first solo exhibition, Rotation of Time, is underway at Zainul Gallery, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka. Noted artists Shishir Bhattacharjee and Rafiqun Nabi among others inaugurated the exhibition on February 23.

Born in Satkhira, Jayanta Mondal completed his BFA and MFA from the Department of Drawing and Painting at Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka. He created the paintings based on recent contemporary issues. The universe is evolving constantly and human civilisations have gone through significant changes over time. The artist believes that our society is turning more and more brutal everyday and that is no different from the barbaric era. "I tried to express my points of view about the evolution of time and society, and how every step towards the future is dragging us more into the past. Subsequently, I have named the exhibition, 'Rotation of Time'," says Jayanta.

‘The Act of Formal Brutality’ (Acrylic on board) on display at the event. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

He portrays different societal issues through his paintings. One of the paintings in the series, Recreation of femina bellator, showcases Nusrat, who was a victim of rape, in the form of Goddess Durga, awaiting justice. This series portrays the growing injustice in our society, where thousands of 'Nusrats', are facing the same cruel reality.

 Another painting, Mysterious Migration of Hercules, tells the story of Hercules from Greek and Roman mythology, a great warrior who is half human and half God. The artist portrays the resemblance between the mythical Hercules and Bangladesh's 'unknown Hercules', who punished several rapists in the country recently.

The Story of Border Line,The Act of Formal Brutality, Nervous Narrowness and The result of superstition are among other paintings showcased in the exhibition. "As an artist, I tried to portray the helplessness of people in this dialectical time. I feel that it is my social responsibility to talk about the ethical rise and fall of humans and I choose to talk through my art," shares the artist.

The exhibition concludes tomorrow.