Bengal Foundation in association with Italy’s Skira publications has come out with “Great Masters of Bangladesh: Zainul Abedin,” marking the 100th birth anniversary of the great art maestro Zainul Abedin. Bengal has also arranged for a year-long celebration for the grand occasion.
Zainul Abedin played a pioneering role in the modern art movement in Bangladesh that began, by all accounts, with the setting up of the Government Institute of Arts and Crafts (now Institute of Fine Arts) of which he was the founding principal till 1967.
Abedin with his monumental contribution in the art arena, has paved an easy path for the artist’s of the country to follow. His famine sketches of 1940s are his most remarkable works as he used art to express his views on a range of subjects, focusing primarily on scenes of rural Bengal, as well as the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, encouraging people to fight against oppression.
On Saturday, in a press conference at the Bengal Shilpalaya, the foundation made the announcement of the upcoming inaguration programme. Begum Jaharana Abedin was present at the ceremony and spoke on the occasion along with seasoned artist Qayyum Chowdhury, art critic Abul Monsur, Bengal Foundation’s director general Luva Nahid Chowdhury, director of Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts Subir Chowdhury and Zinat Chowdhury.
To inaugurate the year-long celebration programme and the book “Great Masters of Bangladesh: Zainul Abedin,” Honourable President Mohammad Abdul Hamid will be present as the chief guest of the programme. The event is taking place on Sunday at Radisson’s Blue Water Garden Hall at 4pm. L
