Bangladeshi female artists stir Nepal art scene

June 24, 2009

Shako, an association of female Bangladeshi artists, regularly arrange group exhibitions on different themes. The group has carved a niche for itself in the Dhaka art scene. Now, Shako is taking its talented artists beyond the border.

A group exhibition, titled “Nepal Rendezvous,” by Shako is now on at Siddhartha Art Gallery in Kathmandu. The exposition features artworks by Shako members Farida Zaman, Naima Haque, Nasreen Begum, Kuhu, Fareha Zeba, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Rebeka Sultana Moly, Farzana Islam Milky and Shulekha Chowdhury. Two Nepalese painters — Ragini Upadhyay and Erina Tamrakar — are also participating in the exhibition.

Farida Zaman is the senior-most painter in the group. For a while the artist has been focusing on riverine life in Bangladesh, beautifully articulating fishing activities. Her works plunge deep into the lives of hardworking and rural people. Occasionally, cats, nets and petite girls are noticeable in her paintings. She prefers using crimson, blue and yellow on her spacious canvases. The mode of illustration makes her works simplified.

Naima Haque’s paintings have a delicate touch of reality with focused projection. Her works denote purity and spirituality. She is also known as an illustrator. At the exhibition, Naima’s painting shows a seated woman in a contemplative mood. The image exudes a sense of tranquility.

Nasreen Begum attained fame for her series on “Cactus.” In recent times, she has been working on other themes but maintains her personal language. Meticulous technique and mellow shades are the prime characteristics of her works. Form, harmony, colour and texture are presented simultaneously in her works.

Kuhu’s paintings predominantly portray working class women in their diverse range of moods. Her choice of themes is simple, yet thought-provoking. Figure is her main concern and usually a female form completely engrosses her canvas. Charcoal and acrylic are her preferred mediums for the stark vividness they provide.

Kanak Chanpa Chakma’s works invariably feature indigenous people and their daily chores. She is an established artist in our country and has demonstrated an individual style. Kanak Chanpa uses various forms, open space and uneven surface. She is inspired by the vivid colours of indigenous attire, the hills, forests, ‘jhum’ cultivation, pristine blue waterfalls, dance, and music — namely anything that defines life in the hilly areas of Bangladesh.

Fareha Zeba is a socially aware painter who tries to capture varied personal relationships, socio-economic and political dilemmas in our country and abroad. Two/three life-size and a few tiny figures in different perspectives are common features in her paintings. Her works are considered ‘fusion art’ (a form that combines modern techniques with folk and traditional elements).

Shulekha Chowdhury’s surrealistic work has enriched the exhibition. Her works denote instability in the political and social context. Her canvas focuses regrets, needs, despair and frustration. Rebelling and tormented figures crowd her works. Her expressive works are dominated by these themes.

Bangladeshi female artists stir Nepal art scene

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