Charukola alumni revisit their artistic journey through ‘Art Beyond Borders’
The most prestigious institution for fine arts in the country, the Department of Fine Arts, also known as Charukola at the University of Dhaka, produces artists every year. Keeping up with the tradition, former students who become seasoned artists after a certain period of time come back as teachers to guide the next generations of artists. Thus continues the bond between predecessors and their successors, lasting a lifetime.
On August 14, a batch of former students of DU, who are currently engaged in different types of work, had the inauguration ceremony of their group exhibition titled “Art Beyond Borders” at Safiuddin Shilpalay, Dhanmondi. The event was graced by the presence of some of the country’s most prominent artists. Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi was present as the chief guest. Artists Prof Syed Abul Barq Alvi, Prof Mostafizul Haque, Prof Sheikh Afzal, and Prof Shishir Bhattacharjee attended the event as special guests.
The exhibition featured 19 artists from the 1998-1999 session of Charukola. After the participants warmly welcomed the guests, their cordial speeches started. Professor Shishir congratulated the artists and wished them and their families good health. Professor Alvi, in his short speech, praised their work. Professors Haque and Afzal reminisced about their time with the artists and spoke about the good times, funny moments, and philosophical discussions they shared as teachers and students — how their interactions shaped their artistic practices. Professor Nabi talked about the importance and beauty of healthy teacher-student relations and wished them a bright future, announcing the inauguration of the exhibition by drawing on a canvas.
Safiuddin Shilpalay demostrated a versatile collection of artworks. It included paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and ceramic work. Suman Paul’s iridescent blue ceramic work stole my heart, whereas Jabunnahar Jhumni’s tiny canvases filled with landscapes, and walls with windows next to trees made me nostalgic. Sahid Kazi’s usual highly textured floral details were there in all their glory.
Taimur Hannan painted an adorable portrait of a child. Nazmul Nahar Rahman created colourful images of birds which were as magical as fairy forests. Swapon Charushi painted women as part of our nature, or it can be viewed as nature in the form of women. Mahmudul Hasan’s drawing of a man carrying a disrobed, unconscious woman in his arms struck me the most, as it immediately reminded me of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, “Pieta”. Amjad Akash took a feminist approach for his drawings with a yellow background, which was amazingly thoughtful.
Aside from these, there were paintings of our beautiful countryside, flowers, dragonflies, and different types of abstract art pieces. The exhibition concluded on August 17.
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