CELEBRATING WOMANHOOD WITH ART

Gallery Twenty One and Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka has organised a group art exhibition of Bangladeshi women artists to celebrate International Women's Day 2015. The art show titled “JATRA” was inaugurated on March 28, at Gallery Twenty One and is open from 12pm to 8 pm every day till 12 April.

Entering into the gallery, an art lover sees an array of artworks in diverse media and colours. A wooden sculpture by Ferdousy Priyabhashiny is in the middle of the gallery while art pieces by 41 women artists are on display on the walls. The exhibition also honours the participating artists' two mentors and renowned artists – Professor Hashem Khan and Professor Rafiqun Nabi's artworks showcasing with theirs.

Rafiqun Nabi's “Mother and Child” is a masterpiece of exquisite light and shades. Hashem Khan's two untitled works evoke the rhythms and grace of nature. Kanak Chanpa Chakma as always depicts Chakma girls in close affinity with nature. Maksuda Iqbal Nipa delineates the romance of vermilion on canvas. The oil has wonderful texture and appeal. Gulshan Hossain portrays still life with an amazing touch of blue, while artworks by Dilara Begum Jolly, Rokeya Sultana, Shadia Shamim Monsur celebrate time-honoured folk figures, elements and motifs.      

Artworks by Farida Zaman and Shameem Subrana and Nazia Andaleeb Preema have nuances of abstraction and semi-abstraction. Elham Haq Khuku's pen, ink and charcoal work “Me and Meghna” is beautiful. Fareha Zeba's etching “The Deep End-2” epitomises the sublime sacrifice of motherhood. Ivy Zaman depicts visage of Tagore, while Afrozaa Jamil Konka portrays three women's faces with beautiful eyes.  

Other participating artists of the exhibition are -- Asmita Alam Shammy, Atia Islam Anny, Barkia Azam, Bipasha Hayat, Dilruba Latif Rosi, Fahmida Enam Kakoli, Farzana Chowdhury, Farzana Islam (Milky), Laila Anjuman Ara (Chhotly), Laila Sharmeen, Masuma Khan, Mini Karim, Monowar Anis Khan, Munmun Nahar, Naima Haq, Nasima Khanam Queenie, Nasreen Begum, Nazmun Rozy, Rima Chowdhury, Rokeya Sultana, Sameena M Karim, Samina Nafies, , Shameem Subrana, Shulekha Chaudhury, Shumona Haque, Sohana Shahreen, Sufia Begum, Tayeba Begum Lipi and Vinita Karim.

Meher Afroze Chumki, State Minister, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest. Nasreen Rab Ruba, president, Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (WEAB) and Tasmima Hossain, acting editor, The Daily Ittefaq and editor, Anannya were present as special guests.