If the emergence of artists like Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan and S.M. Sultan is identified as roots of the modern art movement in Bangladesh; it can then be said that the tree has grown much taller.
The outward progression of Bangladeshi art scene, which was created with a big bang by works like Zainul Abedin’s Famine Series paintings, has not stopped ever since. Talented and devoted individuals have made their own contributions to the canvas of deshi art scene. The inauguration of Queenies Art Gallery at UAE Moitry Complex at Banani is one such step of advancement.
Queenies Art Gallery, which is part of an art project titled ‘Queenies Art’, promises to showcase works not only by veterans but also by newcomers who need a platform to showcase their works.
The gallery and its first exhibition were inaugurated by Lee Yun Young, the ambassador of Republic of Korea to Bangladesh on April 15. While expressing his delight to be a part of the event, Young said, ‘his country has always encouraged the expansion of art and culture’ and also believed that ‘artists from both countries can play an enormous role in facilitating cultural exchanges between the two countries’.
In its maiden exhibition, the gallery is currently displaying 33 paintings of noted artist Nasima Khanam Queenie, who is also the proprietor of the gallery. Most of her works on display are done with acrylic and watercolour.
Necklace of Fossil, one of her abstract acrylic works, grabbed much attention at the exhibition as an assemblage of different hues of auburn creates outlines of faces along with shapes that seem to solidify. The painting perhaps whispers to the viewer to observe the fossilization of human experiences.
Another work, Scratched Surface, is a conglomeration of bright colours that invoke a feeling that we perhaps are only scratching the surface. One of the viewers commented that the work had a ‘timber texture effect and an austerity of colours’. The reddish trail on the paint may hint prints of bleeding claws trying to scratch the surface.
Habitat, another abstract work, aims to depict interconnectedness of man and nature.
Queenie elaborated the goal that Queenies Art Gallery aims to reach in an interview. The artist said, ‘Making profit from the gallery is not one of her primary targets’. The main goal that the artist-turned-entrepreneur maintains is to use the gallery as a platform where new talents could get featured. Queenie has been the driving force behind a workshop that was conducted recently by noted artist Ranjit Das. The workshop gave hands on training to many aspiring youngsters. ‘Queenie Art aims to do more workshops to help young learners in the near future’, Queenie said.
Queenie Art is currently working to incorporate modern technology and the use of Internet to improve the art viewing experience of art lovers. Noted artists Jamal Ahmed, Ranjit Das, Syed Hasan Mahmud, Atia Islam Anne, Samina Nafis and Amzad Akash were also present at the inauguration ceremony.
The ongoing exhibition will be open for all from 10am to 8pm till the end of this month.
-With New Age input
