Art

In Search of Solace and Serenity

Fayza Haq

Jalilur Rabbi Tamim, in his current exhibition “Red Side of the Story” has both paintings on “shora” (clay containers) and other works on canvas. These works are a continuation of the painting that he presented before at the Alliance Francaise . The current display is being held at the same venue. Four years back the young painter had delighted his viewers with his water colour landscapes in various shades and tones. At that stage he had won the approval of his teacher Prof Rafiqun Nabi. What does he bring into his paintings? Serenity, joy, nostalgia, new emotions and fresh hopes.

One of the forms that one comes across in Tamim's creations is that of the meditative figure. This person is so deep in his meditation that he is unaware of what is happening around him. Often in his presence is also a cat-like figure which acts as a steady companion. This animal, done in simplistic geometrical forms could also be taken for a horse or a dog. The presence of drops of rain are also felt in the form of slanted white streaks.

For the Bangla New Year Tamim's paintings on “shoras” contained crocodile, stork, fish, rain clouds and puddles of water. This is keeping in mind the conventional dancing gods and goddesses of Hindu myths of Bengal. The bodies of the creatures appear stretched out, geometrical and simplified: Done with few strokes of black on green or red or white.

Tamim says he uses red because this colour attracts him. He decided to use the same colour to ensure enthusiasm among the viewers. “Red symbolises many things such as love, revenge, anger, warning, ” says the artist.”

Flower, Feline, and The Rain.	Shora Composition

The geometrical shape of the birds, fish, the rain clouds are an extension of a style of my own which I developed while I was still studying at the Masters level. The extensive use of red is also something natural in my paintings. I want the audience to feel, as soon they enter the gallery, that they've entered a 'red' zone, which is different from other areas."

Tamim studied at the Institute of Fine Arts, beginning in 1996. He has been inspired by the “shora” as his teacher Shishir Bhattacharjee praised his works on “shora” and this encouraged him to work in that direction. He felt that the “shora” could form an interesting subject for exhibition even outside the Nobo Borsho period. Working on design and space, last year as you entered the exhibition area, the Café Veranda, La Gallery and Zoom Gallery, you felt you had entered a vast and exotic eastern tea hall. There were images and colours on the walls, pillars and ceilings with red and black dominating. Today's exhibit is a fusion between urban and rural elements. Both acrylic and mixed media have been used.

Among his teachers who guided and encouraged him he found Rafiqun Nabi, Jamal Ahmed, Nisar Hussain apart from Shishir Bhattacharjee. They helped him admire the well-known artists of Europe."With time , of course, these likes and dislikes changed. In the beginning, for instance, I simply admired Salvador Dali. I hope not only to see paintings in books but also in renowned museums in Europe," says Tamim.

In his drive and dreams he has been inspired by his mother and his uncle Burhanuddin Khan Jahangir, in whose house he saw many paintings in his youth that stirred him. He also gives credit for his early success to Tarun Kanti Gayen.

Asked if he can make a living from his paintings, Tamim says, "Not as yet, but hope to do so in the future. I do go in for commercial work but hope I'll not have to resort to it for long. After my painting is done I assess it critically and change it if necessary. Some of the work comes spontaneously and without effort. But I can't say that about all my paintings."

The exhibition begins this weekend at Alliance Francaise.

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