Nature has always been A.B.M Safiul Alam Sabbir's greatest source of inspiration. He always tries to communicate with nature. The painter feels that the nature has an endless source of splendor, mystery and anonymity. He finds inspiration in the elaborate detailing of glimpses like light filtering through the leaves, sound of river's wave, the silence of nature, a drop of rain, singing crickets, dense foliage, the play of light and shadow in nature.
Sabbir was one of the pioneer students of Narayanganj Charukala Institute. He was born and raised on the bank of the Shitalakkhya River. He passed his childhood by the banks of the river. Skipping classes at school, he enjoyed swimming in the river and to see sailing boats, boatmen singing, riverine life and green grandeurs.
It is very natural that as a painter Sabbir is greatly influenced by his surrounding atmosphere. During that time, his mode of expression was purely realistic and the painter went into the details of his topics. The calm and tranquil location immensely influenced him and he tinted soothing nature, the magnificence of the river and the simple people who were really detached from the urban life. Through the artworks, Sabbir attempted to create an atmosphere that defines the daily chores of riverine people. The use of shadowy and darker tones depicted the unchanging lives of the community.
Sabbir has a great passion for meticulously portraying rural and semi-urban ambiance with vibrant shades. In his career, he has developed a style, particularly in watercolour medium. The medium lucidity gives him a freedom to express his creativity properly. His works are principally a means to visually imagine the natural world in which he finds himself. He has the longing and ability to transform his visual insight of the world into a mind-boggling approach.
Sabbir's works plunge deep into panoramic view, ship repairing and building in dockyard, quiet and crowd street in urban and semi-urban areas, semi-urban setting, boat riding, riverine beauty, greenery of our rural areas and more. Firstly he visited the spots then he has portrayed the surroundings. As a result, he feels the essence of nature and has immersed himself with the ambiance. He does not believe in copying from photographs. His watercolours are superb in terms of her meticulous techniques the artist's technique is particularly based on smooth wash and thin colour.
Some of his painting has a studious touch but he has a great tendency towards experimentation with materials like small piece of glass, broken glass, broken and waste bangles. He paints ardently with the subjects of flora and fauna, kettle and teapots, downtrodden people----cowboys, tea-sellers, mendicants, working- class people and their daily chores. His art features particularly the disadvantaged and exploited community. Their hardship and suffering are recurring subjects of his works. Sabbir portrays both rural and urban people -- their sufferings, torments, bliss and ecstasies.
Realism is his forte. Sabbir has the ability to create an authentic setting as a backdrop for themes to intensify the drama. He has used quiet colours and tones where the city's socio-economical and cultural structures, urban hustle and bustle, architectural and structural improvements have also been highlighted.
