Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 753 Mon. July 10, 2006  
   
Culture


Exhibition
Carvings on clay


Terracotta is one of the oldest of our arts. Sagar Chandra Das' solo exhibition 'Amar Mrittika' at the Zainul Gallery is a reflection of what our young artists can do in the field of ceramics. His creations, both traditional and modern are a delight for the eyes.

Sagar has depicted items of daily ware such as mugs and bowls of delightful shapes and colours. Some of the work have used the potter's wheel but there have been innovations to them such as a penholder has decorative designs both in the front and back of the object so that it is both a flower vase and a pen holder. The images of the elephant and the bird are beautiful, recalling the sculpture found in the Far East. They are painted over with turquoise, beige and brown. The motifs and designs can be viewed both at the front and back of the objects. The bird and the elephant are decorated with elements taken from nature such as flowers and leaves.

Sagar has brought in crocodile and fish with unusual dots and stripes so that the items look different from any other such representations seen before: they were cute and comic. There was an abstract creation where several forms had been fused to represent a family. In them were brought images of an elephant, fish, a bent man. These were blended with flowers and leaves.

The Kantajir temple was the inspiration of a wheel, with the figure of Radha and Krishna in the centre and a circle of dancing devotees created around the deities. Sagar said that he had been inspired by the pictures of the temple. Sagar had done some lilies and kalaboti flowers on plaques. He had creations painted over on clay and they contained motifs like folk dolls, fans and cooking utensils.

Another such painting focused on the countryside with women filling their jars of water and men walking by in the back. There was another such traditional creation based on Pahela Baishak which brought in festoons and enormous masks and puppets in the shape of crocodiles, elephants and birds along with people in a festive mood. Sagar says that there are implements to help him with his work although they could have been improved.

Hashem Khan, commenting on the exhibition says, “Sagar's first display preserves our tradition of terracotta. He has experimented with good results and at times he has taken his ideas from elsewhere as in the case of the massive wheel based on temples. The two portraits with clay coils were admirable. I hope he establishes a style of his own in time to come."

Hamiduzzaman Khan added,"Sagar, a fourth year student, has bagged the best award in his department in 2004 and so has come into the limelight. He is sincere and innovative, working in different forms of clay."

Picture
Works on display (Right) Hashem Khan seen at the inauguration