Harold Rasheed’s first solo exhibition opens on his 70th birthday

A three-day celebration marking the 70th birthday of multidisciplinary artist Harold Rasheed began in Sylhet with the opening of his first-ever solo exhibition, honouring a lifetime devoted to painting, music and political cartooning.

Titled “Shottore Harold” (Harold at 70), the programme was inaugurated on June 29 at the Shah Alam Gallery of Fine Arts in the Arabinda Dasgupta Building in Sylhet's TB Gate area. The event has been organised by Harold Rasheed's 70th Birthday Celebration Council.

The exhibition was inaugurated by eminent artists and academics Syed Abul Barak Alvi, Nisar Hossain and Shishir Bhattacharya. Veteran musician Himangshu Biswas presided over the opening ceremony, while artist Shamsul Basit Shero served as convener and Abdul Karim Kim conducted the programme.

Speaking at the event, Syed Abul Barak Alvi said he had known Harold Rasheed for many years but was seeing his paintings for the first time.

"I feel I am meeting Harold anew. His work has captivated me," he said, adding that it was rare for an artist of such ability to spend decades working outside Dhaka before holding a first solo exhibition at the age of 70.

Artist Nisar Hossain described Rasheed as a rare creative figure whose practice spans painting, music and political cartooning.

"Many people are unaware that he regularly drew political cartoons for the newspaper Jugabheri. Those works document an important period of our history and deserve scholarly attention," he said.

Cartoonist Shishir Bhattacharya praised Rasheed's experimental approach, saying, "Harold was doing in the 1980s what many contemporary artists are now attempting with artificial intelligence."

Reflecting on the occasion, Harold Rasheed said he had never previously organised a solo exhibition.

"Some of my friends and admirers arranged this on my 70th birthday. I am grateful to all of them," he said.

The exhibition remains open to visitors until July 1 from 5pm to 8pm. As part of the celebrations, a birthday programme featuring cultural performances, reminiscences and the launch of a commemorative publication is scheduled for June 30 at the same venue.

The final day's programme, on July 1, will include an exhibition of works by Harold Rasheed's students at Sylhet Arts College in Kumarpara, further highlighting his enduring influence as an artist and mentor.