‘Visible Structure’: Shamsul Alam Azad captures the poetry of monsoon colours

On July 4, 2026, Gallery Chitrak inaugurated the third solo exhibition by artist Shamsul Alam Azad, titled “Visible Structure”, showcasing his evocative abstract paintings. The opening ceremony was attended by eminent artist Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi as the chief guest and freedom fighter and poet Shamsuddoha Milan, the artist’s brother, as the special guest. Veteran artist Mostafizul Haque presided over the event.

Shamsul Alam Azad, who completed his MFA at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, and has received several awards, is currently the principal of Narayanganj Fine Arts Institute. Rafiqun Nabi, who was once his teacher, praised the artist in his speech, describing him as a thinker who creates through emotion. He added that Azad’s art is a poetry of colours, particularly admiring his watercolour paintings for their exquisite brushwork. 

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Mostafizul Haque explained that space is used in the artist’s work like a song, while the hazy atmosphere and use of colour make viewers feel drenched in the monsoon rain. Shamsuddoha Milan grew nostalgic as he spoke about how special his younger brother had been since childhood. Following the speeches, the exhibition was opened to visitors.

Shamsul Alam Azad says he walks both the paths of realism and abstraction. He explains, “The first relies on visibility, while the latter depends on philosophy and the cosmic state. But abstract art also needs something visual to connect with viewers. I am highly inspired by legends such as Safiuddin Ahmed, Mohammad Kibria, and Kazi Ghiyasuddin.”

The most prominent characteristics of Azad’s paintings are their use of grey tones and the dusky atmosphere of monsoon skies. Yet the works never appear dull; instead, they evoke nostalgia and a yearning for inner peace in a chaotic world. The paintings serve as abstractions of landscapes and natural elements. Some recall village sunsets, others resemble riverbeds or sediment, while some evoke different forms of foliage. The monsoon sky appears throughout the collection in all its splendour, and several works call to mind Rabindranath Tagore’s songs celebrating the rainy season. Most of the paintings are executed in acrylic, while others are rendered in watercolour.

Azad’s paintings capture the essence of Bangladesh’s natural beauty during the monsoon. At times, he depicts the calm before a storm; at others, freshly washed landscapes or the quiet serenity of rainfall. Gallery Chitrak will host the exhibition until July 18, 2026.