Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed

Reinventing Old Dhaka

Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed is a well-known name in the contemporary art circuit of Bangladesh. The award-winning artist has taken part in numerous group shows and 33 solo exhibitions at home and abroad, including Nepal, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Iran, France, UK, Yugoslavia, USA and Australia. He received the Grand Award at the15th Asian Art Biennale 2012 in Dhaka.
As a person, Kazi Salahuddin, 52, is confident, diligent and committed to art. Born in Old Dhaka, his work has been influenced by complex city life. For his latest exhibition, held last month at the Alliance Française de Dhaka, he worked on the people and scenes of the old city.

How did you embark on your journey in the field of painting?

My interest in art came when I was a schoolboy. During those days, I was active in cultural activities and took part in several art- related events. Though I got admitted to Dhaka University’s International Relations department, I did not abandon painting. I was also a regular hockey player and played for many years in the first division. But painting is part and parcel of my life. I never get bored and tired of painting. After my graduation, I decided to develop my career in art. Fortunately, my parents did not object to my obsession. They inspired me greatly to become what I am today.

How would you define your artwork?

It’s up to the viewers and art critics to define my work. Artists always follow some ideology and ideas. As I have grown up in Old Dhaka, I have been working on the subject of city life for 25 years. I have touched almost all mediums, and currently I am working with oil. Water colour, oil, mixed media, acrylic -- I think whatever media it may be, if an artist can express his concept properly, the job would be done well. I tend to use materials like bricks, brick chips, sand, stone etc in my artwork so that I can depict the impact of city life. Therefore, some of my works focus on reinventing the old city.

Recently, you have completed a solo exhibition. Please tell us something about it.
 
My 33rd solo exhibition, ‘Organic City’, recently concluded at the Alliance Française. Around 39 paintings and one installation were showcased in the gallery. As I am working with oil, I used oil on paper. I live in the old part of the capital. Built by the Mughals in the 15th century, Dhaka developed as the provincial centre of commerce in eastern Bengal. In spite of British colonisation, this ‘nature’ remained basically the same for centuries. With the advancement of modernity, Dhaka city is now under pressure of urbanisation and unplanned development.  Commerce has always been the heart of Dhaka, but the current level of commercialisation cannot be contained within its confines. As a result, marginalisation and decay have become the order of the day. Old Dhaka has become completely irrelevant and perhaps, even unwanted. But I believe that Old Dhaka has much to offer, especially in terms of individualism that becomes contagious in our society. I think the neighbourhood, bonding, togetherness _ all these can considerably provide constructive environment for the present day. Here, indeed I wanted to focus on reinventing the old city. The forms, compositions, colours and the structures are reflective of this central ideology. I differentiated the past and present forms of Old Dhaka in aerial motifs. The exhibition was huge and I got positive responses from both viewers and critics.
 
What difficulties do artists face in organising an exhibition?

In Bangladesh, there are some difficulties in doing a solo show.  We need to follow a plan and work properly. Besides, artists in our country always face problems getting sponsors. We need to spend a lot _ from renting a gallery to framing a painting. So, it becomes very difficult to arrange an exhibition without a sponsor. Our art sector may disappear someday if the government and non-government organisations do not come forward to patronise it properly.

Please tell us something about your first solo exhibition?

During my university days, I organised my first solo exhibition at the TSC of Dhaka University. It was 1987, and I was a third-year honours student. I displayed several drawings and artworks there. It was a milestone in my career as an artist.

What’s your take on art education in our country?              

Bangladeshi artists and the art sector are growing rapidly. At present, there are many colleges and universities in our country offering courses on art, and eminent artists are patronising those art institutions as well. Students often take part in international workshops and exhibitions, and earn laurels for the country.  

What are your future plans?           

I will be painting till my last breathe. 

Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed

Reinventing Old Dhaka

Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed is a well-known name in the contemporary art circuit of Bangladesh. The award-winning artist has taken part in numerous group shows and 33 solo exhibitions at home and abroad, including Nepal, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Iran, France, UK, Yugoslavia, USA and Australia. He received the Grand Award at the15th Asian Art Biennale 2012 in Dhaka. As a person, Kazi Salahuddin, 52, is confident, diligent and committed to art. Born in Old Dhaka, his work has been influenced by complex city life. For his latest exhibition, held last month at the Alliance Franaise de Dhaka, he worked on the people and scenes of the old city. How did you embark on your journey in the field of painting? My interest in art came when I was a schoolboy. During those days, I was active in cultural activities and took part in several art- related events. Though I got admitted to Dhaka Universitys International Relations department, I did not abandon painting. I was also a regular hockey player and played for many years in the first division. But painting is part and parcel of my life. I never get bored and tired of painting. After my graduation, I decided to develop my career in art. Fortunately, my parents did not object to my obsession. They inspired me greatly to become what I am today. How would you define your artwork? Its up to the viewers and art critics to define my work. Artists always follow some ideology and ideas. As I have grown up in Old Dhaka, I have been working on the subject of city life for 25 years. I have touched almost all mediums, and currently I am working with oil. Water colour, oil, mixed media, acrylic -- I think whatever media it may be, if an artist can express his concept properly, the job would be done well. I tend to use materials like bricks, brick chips, sand, stone etc in my artwork so that I can depict the impact of city life. Therefore, some of my works focus on reinventing the old city. Recently, you have completed a solo exhibition. Please tell us something about it. My 33rd solo exhibition, Organic City, recently concluded at the Alliance Franaise. Around 39 paintings and one installation were showcased in the gallery. As I am working with oil, I used oil on paper. I live in the old part of the capital. Built by the Mughals in the 15th century, Dhaka developed as the provincial centre of commerce in eastern Bengal. In spite of British colonisation, this nature remained basically the same for centuries. With the advancement of modernity, Dhaka city is now under pressure of urbanisation and unplanned development. Commerce has always been the heart of Dhaka, but the current level of commercialisation cannot be contained within its confines. As a result, marginalisation and decay have become the order of the day. Old Dhaka has become completely irrelevant and perhaps, even unwanted. But I believe that Old Dhaka has much to offer, especially in terms of individualism that becomes contagious in our society. I think the neighbourhood, bonding, togetherness _ all these can considerably provide constructive environment for the present day. Here, indeed I wanted to focus on reinventing the old city. The forms, compositions, colours and the structures are reflective of this central ideology. I differentiated the past and present forms of Old Dhaka in aerial motifs. The exhibition was huge and I got positive responses from both viewers and critics. What difficulties do artists face in organising an exhibition? In Bangladesh, there are some difficulties in doing a solo show. We need to follow a plan and work properly. Besides, artists in our country always face problems getting sponsors. We need to spend a lot _ from renting a gallery to framing a painting. So, it becomes very difficult to arrange an exhibition without a sponsor. Our art sector may disappear someday if the government and non-government organisations do not come forward to patronise it properly. Please tell us something about your first solo exhibition? During my university days, I organised my first solo exhibition at the TSC of Dhaka University. It was 1987, and I was a third-year honours student. I displayed several drawings and artworks there. It was a milestone in my career as an artist. Whats your take on art education in our country? Bangladeshi artists and the art sector are growing rapidly. At present, there are many colleges and universities in our country offering courses on art, and eminent artists are patronising those art institutions as well. Students often take part in international workshops and exhibitions, and earn laurels for the country. What are your future plans? I will be painting till my last breathe.