Encouraging Budding Artists

Alokesh Ghosh, Nadi Nouka, watercolour.

A grandfather looks at his grandchild with deep affection and love while taking him in his arms. The grandchild, who cannot very often visit his ancestral home in the outskirts of the city, enjoys the warmth and affection which is passed onto him. Young artist Anamuzzahid, using his paper and a piece of charcoal, expresses how it feels to meet an estranged ancestor after a long gap. His painting 'Sneho' has been awarded with honourable mention in Dhaka Art College's annual exhibition that is currently going on in Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Dhaka Art College, a non-government institute for art started its journey at Rayerbazar in 2006. Within a year of its inception, the college was given accreditation by the National University of Bangladesh. “Our motto was to cater to the need of the art enthusiasts with very affordable fees so that they can pursue their career in art and design,” says Dr Govinda Roy, the founder Principal of the college.

Anamuzzahid, Sneha, charcoal on paper.

At present, the college is offering two years of BFA pre-degree and four years of BFA (honours) to its disciples.
“This year we decided to showcase our students' works in a public gallery so that our emerging artists feel inspired to work better,” Dr Govinda says. “We hope to display their artworks every year by holding such an exhibition,” he continues.
The exhibition hosts 135 artworks by the students and the faculty. Even though it is a combined effort of both the students and faculty, it predominantly features the work of the students, the rising artists. The participants range from the amateur to the semi-professional. “We have awarded 13 of our students with the Best Awards and Honourable mentions,” Dr Govida Roy comments.
Most of the paintings have followed a realistic style. “This is a collection of the works that they have created year-long mostly as their class assignments,” says Dr Roy. The young artists have captured different elements from nature, people, rural and urban life and still life on their canvas. The art students have experimented with versatile mediums like water colour, acrylic, oil colour, pastel, pencil and charcoal sketches, collage, glass painting, and digital art throughout the festival.
Art critics might not be happy with the standard of all the art pieces, but the exhibition demands a round of applause for encouraging aspiring artists.
The works that stand out are undoubtedly those presented by the faculty. Eminent artist and Chairman of the college Shamarjit Ray Chowdhury's 'A Village Woman' and Alokesh Ghosh's 'Nodi Nouka' can be picked up as the most commendable pieces of works. The city dwellers seeking some respite from the ongoing political instability can pay a visit to this 13-day-long art fest.