‘Colliding Collages’ (‘Kalidaser Bahas’)—the first solo painting exhibition by artist Md. Harun-ar- Rashid Tutul began on Monday at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka in the capital’s Dhanmondi area. Professor Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka; Mohammad Abdul Qayyum, National Project Director (Additional Secretary) Comprehensive Disaster Management Program; Nisar Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka; eminent artist Professor Mohammad Eunus and artist & critic Mostafa Zaman Mithu, among others, were the distinguished guests present at the opening ceremony of the exhibition held on the premises at 6 pm. Bruno Plasse, Director, Alliance Française de Dhaka welcomed the distinguished guests and also presided over the event.
Md. Harun-ar- Rashid Tutul was born at Jaypurhat in 1976. After completing M.A.F in Graphic Design from Dhaka University, he is currently working as an assistant professor in Dhaka Universities’ Graphic Design department. ‘Colliding Collages’, Harun’s first solo, is a testimony to the divisive politics, which now afflicts this deltaic region. According to Mustafa Zaman, editor of Depart, “Colliding Collages, Harun’s first solo, is apparently a testimony to the divisive politics which now afflicts this deltaic region. ‘Time and Reality 5’, aptly demonstrates how the artist interprets the political despondency that has led to the sharp rise in social-political violence in recent years. The bulls at loggerheads are dipped in vivid green, a colour that almost seems to negate the conflict that is unfolding in this imagery.
As in many other works, Harun’s imagery is revealed in two layers – one that dominates the painted space with their sharp contour lines and the other that is spread around the entire surface of the canvas. This visual ploy enables him to conflate his main motif with a set of secondary, but equally important, motifs. Often this second layer of motifs consists of images of weapons such as hand guns, cleaver, and the recurring motif of a chair symbolizing state power.” The exhibition will remain open to all until August 5. Showtime: Monday to Thursday from 3:00pm to 9:00pm, Friday and Saturday (9:00am to12:00 noon and 5:00pm to 8:00pm).
Closed on Sunday.