A two-month long exhibition showcasing the artworks by the greatest painters and sculptors of Bengal is underway at Bengal Shipalay at Dhanmondi in the capital. The exhibition styled ‘Breaking Ground: Modern Art in Transition’ features greatest masters of modern Bengal art.
For the first time, viewers will get the opportunity to enjoy the paintings of Gaganendranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Zainul Abedin, SM Sultan and Kamrul Hassan under one roof, besides the sculptures of legendary sculptor Ramkinkar Baij. In addition to these classic Bengali painters, the exhibition is also displaying paintings of contemporary masters like Kazi Abdul Baset, Safiuddin Ahmed, Rashid Choudhury, Aminul Islam, Murtaja Baseer, Mohammad Kibria, and Qayyum Chowdhury.
It can be undoubtedly observed that no art-lover would want to lose the chance to experience the artwork of these most influential painters who contributed most to the beginnings and development of modern Bengal painting.
The exhibition, organised by Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts at Dhanmondi road 27, kicked-off last week and is scheduled to end on February 15. Paintings and artworks of 14 Bengali master artists are being displayed in the exhibition, from the personal collection of Bengal Foundation President Abul Khair.
The works of the exhibition have been selected from the rich personal art collections of Abul Khair, collected over nearly four decades, mainly on the basis of pioneering artistic efforts of the era of modern painting and development of Bengal. Since December 19 when the exhibition began, the number of rare works in the exhibition has been increasing.
Since its inception, Bengal Foundation Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts has been organising solo and joint exhibitions of new and established artists alike. This is the first time that such exhibition was organised from the collection of Abul Khair, the founder of the organisation.
Five masterpieces of one of the earliest personalities of modern Bengali paintings, Gaganendranath Tagore are included in the exhibition. Three works of artist Zainul Abedin have been included in the exhibition. One is on paper with ink and another is oil on canvas from 1943. The other work is not dated.
Inclusion of globally reputed painter SM Sultan's three oil paintings have undoubtedly enriched the exhibition. A giant oil painting from 1986 and one rare artwork from 1971.
A large tapestry of artist Rashid Choudhury has been displayed on a wall of the exhibition. The exhibition displays a little known painting of Murtaja Baseer inspired by cubism. In addition to three Impressionism paintings by Safiuddin Ahmed, the pioneer of practicing Bangladeshi painting, two rare and semi-abstract paintings of the artist have been presented separately.
Jamini Roy, another important artist in the history of modern painting in Bengal, avoided the aesthetics of the European academic genre, and he became involved in indigenous painting. Among the three works that enriched the exhibition were two tempera paintings and a woodcut. There is a dry point work by Ramkinkar Baij in the exhibition as well.
In addition to the original artwork of 14 celebrated artists, screening of documentaries on the life and works of the artists have been arranged. ‘Adam Surat’ by Tareque Masud and Mishuk Munier on SM Sultan, ‘Gaganendranath Tagore - Painter of Mysteries’ based on the life and works of Gaganendranath Tagore and a short film including an interview of Murtaja Baseer are being shown at the exhibition. The exhibition will be open to visitors from 1 pm to 8 pm daily, except Sunday until February 15 next.
