Space--- an artists' group, is well known for their innovative ideas, thinking processes and creative articulations. The aim of the group exhibition is to assemble artists belonging to different age groups, working on diverse themes and different mediums. The exhibition has also become a platform, encouraging the exchange of ideas between senior and promising painters of Bangladesh. The ongoing exhibition is praiseworthy for its selection of works.The exhibition is now on at the gallery of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, Banglamotor in the city. The featured artists are Rafique Siddiqui, Mukarram Hussain, Afroza Akhtary, Khurshida Akhter, Bijan Kumar Mazumder, Muktarun Nahar, Moinuddin Ahmed, Nurun Nahar, Farzana Yeasmin, Mahfuza Beauty and others.
Rafique Siddiqui came to prominence in the '80s. His paintings are engrossed with various stiff forms and shapes. As an abstract expressionist painter, his paintings look more relaxed on account of the generous use of space and some distinctive forms. His painting also denotes his allure with minimal geometric compositions. His broken forms are emotive and suggest a pensive process.
Another participant, Mukarram Hussain reveals himself as a figurative painter. One of his paintings shows two aged women in a splendid setting. Lighting is a prominent feature here and the artist has used luminous light. His figures look immobile. Well-known painters of silence like Hopper and Vermeer have apparently had their influence on his works. He has also added illusion and emotion to his oil -based paintings.Uttam Kumar Talukdar has a fondness for abstract expressionism. He has also added some mythological forms and architectural shapes to the painting. He is infused with great spiritual strength and engages the viewers with emotional force and contemplation. The abstraction in his work is not impetuous. It comes naturally and he has adopted the language for his unique way of expression.
Mahfuza Beauty likes to portray untamed nature. Losing herself in greenery, the artist often takes theme from this opulent source and plays with colours on canvas. The painter has applied colours directly; piling up thick and at times thin layers on the canvas, and has created the image that is smooth and lively. Soft brushstrokes make a textural statement in her work which has not been intentionally done.
Bijan Kumar's painting reflects his poetic and pensive sentiment. The expression gives us a complete picture of the painter's psychological voyage. The painter is deeply moved by the torment and elation. His work reflects the agony of a lonesome soul and a mourning heart. His work is dominated by black, red, blue as well as vibrant shades.Farzana Yeasmin's mode of expression is realistic and the painter goes into the details of her subject. Her painting has a studious touch but she has a great tendency towards experimentation with figuration. She has used acrylic. The medium's lucidity gives her a freedom to express her creativity properly. Her work is principally a means to visually imagine the natural world in which she finds herself. She has the longing and ability to transform her visual insight of the world into a mind-boggling approach. She feels the essence of nature and has immersed herself with the ambiance.
Through the exhibits of a number of contemporary painters, one can easily comprehend the current trends of Bangladeshi art. The painters
have used varied styles and approaches. It is true that our painters have a great fascination with pure abstraction, neo-expressionism and pure realism. However, it is also apparent that most of the painters failed to depict a perspective of social and cultural inequity, political instability and other contemporary issues. Themes could have been more connected with society, where one can easily locate the social realities.The exhibition will continue till January 15.