Artists of a society and particular times are under pressure to reflect the happenings and varied aspects of the society in
their contemporary time on their canvasses.
An exhibition of prints titled Under Pressure is on display at the Bengal Art Lounge in Gulshan area of the capital. A number of 61 artworks by 26 artists, done through different techniques of printmaking and depicting diverse themes are on display.
Most of the artworks by former and current fine arts students are outcomes of a three-month training under the guidance of professor Mahmudul Haque at Safiuddin Bengal Printmaking, and a 10-day workshop on printmaking (woodcut and etching) under professor Rokeya Sultana.
Given the diversity in themes and the use of vibrant colours in woodcut and etching, the artworks on display will attract viewers from all walks of life.
‘I tried to teach the attendees of the workshop how to make syncolla (synchronised collage) in printmaking, a technique of collating different colours to address different themes simultaneously’, said professor Rokeya Sultana.
Amongst the works on display, Abdullah Al Bashir’s Strength of Labour-1 and 2 make an intriguing pair. Done by woodcut technique, both the artworks show the strength of a human labour. The first one of the series arrests a figure in action of striking a hammer with one hand and a chisel held in the other hand.
Najnin Jahan Ovi’s Voice of A Lady is another fascinating piece of work. Done by etching technique, the work shows a woman’s face whose mouth is taped. The work, thereby, symbolises that women are suppressed in the male-dominated society.
Munmun Nahar Mou’s series titled Noise, done in etching, is also quite absorbing. The five works of the series depict five usual noise polluters like sound amplifiers, loudspeakers, cycles with ringing bells, automobiles and other vehicles in an urban setting.
Akhinoor Binte Ali’s woodcut print-work Relations is also quite appealing. The work demonstrates a kinship between different elements of nature like water, plants, sky.
Dilruba Latif’s Nature and Me in woodcut is also capable of charming the spectators through the enigma it creates as leaves and flowers can be seen sprouting from human hands.
‘Printmaking is a challenging medium to work with. All who attended the three-month training were impressive in their perseverance and passion. I think, the works on display will attract the visitors’, said professor Mahmudul Haque, director of Safiuddin Bengal Printmaking Studio.
Inaugurated on July 05, the exhibition will remain open from 12:00 pm to 8:00pm, till August 10.
-With New Age input
