Ashim Halder Sagor’s solo Raku exhibition
A solo Raku exhibition, titled “Contemporary Artefacts”, is on at the Zainul Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), University of Dhaka. The exhibition features works of artist Ashim Halder Sagor. This is Sagor’s 2nd solo Raku exhibition.
Art connoisseur and secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mijarul Quayes inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest on July 5. Dean of FFA, Professor EHM Matlub Ali and artist Mahbubur Rahman were present as special guests at the opening.
‘Raku’ (meaning delighted or joyful), a traditional Japanese art form, has its roots in ceramics. The technique used in Raku entails burning white clay in a low temperature with sawdust and dry leaves, followed by instantly cooling it in water so that a carbon texture is formed over the surface. Aside from everyday use, Raku has become popular for its aesthetic value in both East and West.
In his impassioned artistic quest, Ashim wants to express life and time — life that is contemporary and time that is galloping. His art aspires to be considered as ‘artefact’. Ashim is curious about deconstructing traditional art forms through which he would like to master the trends of contemporary art.
“Catharsis”, “Conversation”, “Desire”, “Existence in Nature”, “Metamorphic and Physical Existence 1” and “2”, “Inside of Nature 1” and “2”, “Playing with Nature”, “Nostalgia”, “Me & My Myth 1” and “5”, “Relation in Form 1” and “2”, “Urbanity” and a few untitled works by the artist are on display at the exhibition.
Interestingly enough, Ashim has used himself as the model for several of his works.
In his childhood, Ashim used to catch birds. To a child it didn’t seem cruel but his conscience now haunts him. Juxtaposition of two faces, represented in “Catharsis”, is an attempt to express that dilemma.
“Conversation” features two hands, one with a mouth and the other with an ear. Ashim keenly observed two fellow students at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, communicating through hand gestures, which seems to have provided the inspiration.
Several outstanding sculptures (human head) by the artist imagine the dissimilarity of human instincts.
A few of the works zoom in on the balance in nature that is about to crumble thanks to human greed. The artist has portrayed urban jungles, and at the same time urged to sustain co-existence in nature.
“Me & My Myth 1” and “5” give shape to the artist’s imaginative world and nostalgia.
Ashim stood first, securing first class, in his BFA (Honours) from the Department of Ceramics, FFA, DU in 2009 and is doing his MFA at the same institute.
The exhibition is open to all from 10am to 8pm everyday and will end on July 12.
-With The Daily Star input
