Interview with artist Shohag Parvez
Fazle Rabbi Khan
Shohag Parvez is one of the talented young painter in Bangladesh. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. A number of his paintings were being displayed in about seventy-two group exhibitions arranged both in Bangladesh and abroad from 2002 to 2013 and six solo exhibitions as well. Besides, he has also participated in fifteen workshops and thirty-three art camps held in Bangladesh. He is a freelance painting artist and part-time faculty of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. His sixth solo painting exhibition is now being held at Athena Gallery of Fine Arts. Recently this young talented artist was caught by YI for an interview.
How did you get into painting?
When I was in class six, my father admitted me into an art school. I started learning grammatically from my childhood. I used to love painting and dream to get admitted into the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. My dream came true and I was admitted into University of Dhaka. So this is how I got into painting.
How would you define your art?
Different types of artist have different type of mind and taste. I usually like realism in my artwork. There are different types of artwork. For example, abstract is a common way of artwork. That is good for critic. But according to me, for the common people, who like painting and want to appreciate this artwork, for them realism is the best way of artwork. So that is why I prefer realism in my artworks. As a result, people will understand the painting and enjoy the art.
What are your favourite subjects to paint?
Nature, our Bangladesh and its common people are my favourite subjects. I love to work with my subjects and I put into it the realism on those.
What is your favourite medium and what is it about that particular medium that you like?
I use different types of medium but from them mostly I favour watercolour, acrylic and poster colour.
What are your favourite colours to paint with?
I frequently use orange, ultra maroon, blue, green and others. But as my favourite subject is nature blue and green are the common colours I use.
Tell something about your current exhibition Amar Shonar Desh.
Amar Shonar Desh (My Golden Country) is one of my dream projects. I have explored almost throughout the country, and participated in several exhibitions, where my common subject was the nature and our country. From these collections my current exhibition is My Golden Country (Amar Sonar Desh). This is my sixth solo exhibition. A total of 71 paintings are being displayed at the exhibition. From those, 62 watercolour, 1 pastel colour, 1 poster colour and 7 acrylic colour are exhibited.
Would you name some of the exhibitions in which you have participated?
I have participated in 72 group exhibitions, 6 solo exhibitions, 15 workshops and 33 art camps. I participated in 72 group exhibitions held in Bangladesh and abroad. I have participated in abroad, for example, Japan, USA, China and India. My solo exhibitions are, First Solo Water Colour Exhibition in 2007 at the University of Dhaka, Second Solo Exhibition Paharia Pathe (To The Hilly Way) in 2009 at Gallery La Alliance Francaise, Third Solo Exhibition Prokriti Sojjay Bangladesh (Nature of Bangla) in 2010 at Gallery Shilpangon, Fourth Solo Exhibition Beautiful Bangladesh in 2012 at Gallery Kaya, Fifth Solo Exhibition Rupomoy Bangla in 2013 at Dhaka Art Center and the Sixth Solo Exhibition Amar Sonar Desh (My Golden Country), which is ongoing exhibition at Gallery Athena.
Tell us about achievements so far.
According to me, my achievement is the love of the people of my country. When people say, your artwork is so nice, our country is so nice, we can realise through your artworks. That is my achievement. Besides this achievement, I have won several awards, for example, best water colour award from the University of Dhaka, Agrani Bank Shishu Award, which is affiliated with Bangla Academy and others.
Who are your inspirations? What famous artists have influenced you, and how?
Artist Hashem Khan is the person, whom I believe my utmost inspirer. I used to get inspirations from him. Besides him, the renowned artists of our country who are the legendary artists of this country are my inspirer. Artist, Zainul Abedin , Qayyum Chowdhury and many more are the artists from whom I used to get inspiration.
What do you think of the state of painting in Bangladesh?
According to me, the present state of the painting in Bangladesh is good. Now we are representing our country through our artworks. We have very talented mentors and young painters as well. So the future of the painting in this country is bright.
Where do you see yourself after 2020?
Well, I want to represent my country to the world through my artworks. My near future planning for instance within 2020, I want to participate in different countries, like Australia, India and Iran. So far, I have participated in group exhibitions abroad, but I want solo exhibition beyond the country. As a result, I will represent my country through my artworks more intensely.
