To mark pioneering artist Zainul Abedin’s birth centenary, an exhibition titled “Shilpacharya and His Outer World of Art” is being held at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts till January 11. The exhibition features 17 artworks by the legendary artist, popularly known as the Shilpacharya, and 53 artworks by the three generations of Abedin’s family members.
The pioneer of contemporary art in Bangladesh, Abedin has influenced many disciples and his teaching has spread through generations. Few members of Abedin’s extended family also chose fine arts as a profession.
Nature-based water colour artworks by Abedin’s youngest brother Zunabul Islam – who was the protégée as well as colleague of Abedin – are on display.
Abedin’s youngest son Maidul Abedin – who is an engineer – displayed faces, adding colour and design on it.
The Shilpacharya’s granddaughter Manize Abedin, daughter of his second son Khairul, exhibited paintings of faces; and like her famous grandfather, Manize has interest in drawing human faces.
It is noticeable that the common element in Abedin and his family’s style is their preference in choosing nature and people as subjects of artworks.
Abedin’s last painting Two faces with brush and ink, which has been collected by his widow Jahanara Abedin, is on display. At the inauguration, his wife recalled memories of her beloved husband by saying: “He was a true patriot. During the Liberation War he was offered to flee, but he refused by saying that he decided to stay with his people in Bangladesh.”
Joking, Jahanara said: “After my marriage, I always disagreed with the fact that he had a good sense of colours, as I always saw him giving me white coloured sarees.”
Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin established the Art Institute in 1948, paving way to start the journey of contemporary art in the region. It was his artistic endeavour to enrich the country through art. The legacy of Shilpacharya’s style have created many artists and shall encourage generations to come forward.