Monirul Islam can interpret life's diverse dimensions with his remarkable style, techniques where colours, lines, textures and forms blend in synchronisation. Controlling the medium and technique with skilled mastery, he projects an aesthetic and stylistic uniqueness. Monir's paintings speak to the viewer in an intimate voice about childhood -- most often the favourite chapter of human life, immersed in bliss, woes and boundless endeavours. The result is a display of art centering on nature, human relationships and the meaning of life.
Monir's solo exhibition titled 'Living Colours and Dancing Lines' is now on at Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts. The exhibition ends on December 6. The exhibition includes prints (etching, aquatint, dry point, mezzotint), mono print, water colours and mixed media on paper.
Monir's USP is his subtle lines, warm colours and the balance between space and composition. Use of space is an important aspect in his works and the artist likes to work with different geometric forms and unusual shapes, transforming them amazingly into tangible expressions. An admirer of nature, Monir tries to replicate colours and synchronisation found in the surrounding environment in his works, using his personal language and individual expression. The space that is found in his works is aptly related to the perspective of the themes. The artist uses little doodles, sharp lines, dots, tiny motifs and a lot of symbols, which have become his trademark.
After settling in Spain, he started using paper as medium. It enables him to place the complexities of life to the viewer with a different appeal, from an unusual angle. Monir makes his own paper, which provides the mystery that inspires him. Paper as a medium is quite popular in Madrid, where the artist currently lives.
Monir's water colours mainly focus on the unparalleled beauty of nature. In the late 1960s, Monir emerged as an accomplished water colourist. Up until 1969 when he left for Spain on a scholarship to study traditional murals, Monir concentrated on oil and water colours. Monir has also done a few graphic works in Dhaka to get an idea of the method. The Madrid art scene drew him into the enchanting world of etching, to which he later concentrated his artistic faculty. That was a turning point in his life.
In a Monirul Islam work titled 'Dialogue in Silence,' there is a remarkable interplay of sapphire, black, yellow, white and grey in a harmonious depiction of lovers. Love is the tenderest and somehow rarest element in the world. Monir puts into his work all the yearning and passion that only lovers experience.
'Creation of a Nation' is another outstanding etching and aquatint, which depicts the dark side of human nature. The painting is Monir's ode to Bangladesh in 1971. There are some skeletons in the work that refers to death and misery during the Liberation War. In 'Autumn Musical Notes,' one notices the printmaker's etching skills. In this composition the artist has combined grey and black, two contrasting colours. At the bottom are some lines in these two shades, which could represent a musical milieu.
'El Maestro' is a mixed media piece where etching has been done with water colour and pen. The image refers to the contemporary socio-economic condition of our country. 'Only Two of Us' -- etching and aquatint -- is again a tribute to love. The evocation of the vastness of nature is splendid and the line in the surface generates Monir's characteristic mystery.
Monir has carved a niche in the Madrid art scene and won the most prestigious award, the Spanish National Grand Prize. A workaholic and charismatic character, Monir is always creating the offbeat with phenomenal élan. By inventing new forms and exploring different themes, he has acquired a distinguished position in the global art scenario.
Monirul Islam's solo exhibition titled 'Living Colours and Dancing Lines' is now on at Bengal Gallery of Fine arts. The exhibition ends on December 6.
Bangladeshi, Indian artists focus on Dhaka's street culture
Cultural Correspondent
Bangladeshi artists have won for themselves a distinguished place in the international art circuit. They are now receiving international exposure and participating in various competitions. Nowadays, the scope for pursuing fine arts is much wider than ever before. Once the artists were very neglected and ignored in our society and generally had poor living standards.
At that time, art galleries in the city were few and the sale of paintings was very poor. But that atmosphere has changed completely-and for the better. New galleries are now opening as art works are selling now at greater numbers than ever before.
Artists are becoming professional and the money they are earning is by all means respectable. At present, artists are holding a respectable position in our society. People show a great eagerness to collect the art pieces. This trend is especially being noticed since the beginning of the 1980s.
The history of art galleries in our country is not a long one. Kolkata was the focal point in the art history of this subcontinent. Though our art history is not very old, we are rich in our art and literature. Some talented and avant-garde artists have flourished in this sub-continent. They created art work representing our culture, heritage and native atmosphere.
Dhaka is now in a festive mood. Artists and photographers from Bangladesh and India have come together to focus on Dhaka street culture. Once Dhaka was the hub of all cultural and traditional activities. It was famous for its culture and customs. Recently, an exhibition was held at the Radius Centre (Bay's Galleria, 57 Gulshan Avenue). The artists were Anil Advani, Kuhu Plamondon, Rokeya Sultana, Smita Srivastava and Ujwala Prabhu came together to try something new -- an artist's take on photos of Dhaka street life. Street life of Dhaka is very vibrant and lively. For a long time, the city has been recognized for its individual and personal way of life. The street people, their business, lifestyle, living and eating atmosphere-all are very unique and mind-boggling. The city is open for all. People are very emotional and poignant.
The artists visualized nature deeply in terms of people, life and socio-political and economical conditions, and then enlivens their feelings with colours and lines in a personal language. They snapped photos and then adorned the images with their personal technique. In their works they have sought to incorporate various symbols and signs of their expressions, denoting realism and expressionism. They blended many traits and the outputs were extraordinary.
(The exhibition ended recently at Radius Centre)
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