‘The Color of Nature’: oil paintings for the eyes and the soul

The grind and hustle culture, as a consequence of capitalism, has reduced the number of artists who have kept the practice of oil painting still alive. Acrylic colours, a fast-drying medium, saves time. But the ultra-smooth surfaces of oil paintings have a uniquely classy charm of its own, at least to me. And it's not every day I get to visit a solo art exhibition almost entirely dedicated to oil paintings.

Safiuddin Shilpalay inaugurated "The Color of Nature", first solo art exhibition of artist Shahida Parveen on January 2. Eminent artist, Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi graced the event as the chief guest. The ceremony was presided over by artist Professor Syed Abul Barq Alvi. Veteran cartoonist Professor Shishir Bhattacharjee was present as the special guest.

Safiuddin Shilpalay is adorned with Shahida Parveen's marvelous paintings, most done with oil colours, and a few with watercolours. She is an MFA holder from the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. Her landscapes are not exceptionally detailed, and yet, they look as real as photographs. The artist explained that she loves the dreamlike qualities of impressionism and does her work accordingly. This particular art style stemmed from the rejection to perfectionism by European artists in the 19th century such as Vincent Van Gogh.

The beauty of Bangladesh, especially the districts of Bandarban, Rangamati, Magura, and Chuadanga, is the most prominent subject in her work. The sunny afternoon sky –bright but eye-soothing, sunsets, trees, majestic hills, the transparency of the water, the adorably blooming waterlilies, boats, the ethereally beautiful Sunderbans –all come alive through her brushstrokes. She has also painted our southern islands near the borders which in her opinion felt like another dimension. 

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The artist has created portraits inspired from real people but has almost unnoticeably played with proportions to emphasise on the expressions rather than the features. One particular portrait with a mask on, surrounded by green leaves and dead leaves depicts the traumatic state and living with the unpredictability of life and death behind closed doors during the COVID pandemic.

In short, the exhibition creates a certain nostalgia for me and the reasons cannot be traced. It evokes a yearning to witness the ever-changing, forever astonishing natural beauty of our beloved motherland, to go see the known but unseen. This wonderful exhibition will continue at Safiuddin Shilpalay till January 6, 2026.