Laila Sharmeen’s ‘Golden Bengal’: A thoughtful, artistic tribute to nature

Laila Sharmeen's 12th solo painting exhibition, "Golden Bengal," has begun at the La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD). The exhibition's opening ceremony took place on Saturday, May 20, and was graced by the presence of Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament as the chief guest. HE Marie Masdupuy, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh, Prof. Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, and Mr. Faruque Hassan, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) were also present as special guests.

"AFD has played an important role in the art scene of Bangladesh, by supporting art for many years now. Art moves beyond barriers, and transcends borders, being able to communicate without words. In our history, it has inspired common people during different movements," Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury asserted. She further applauded the artist, mentioning her use of metaphors to denote climate change and the existential threat it possesses.

Prof. Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam noted how human civilisation has developed solely due to the power of art and words. Faruque Hassan explained how he believes that art and culture could play a pivotal role in branding the real Bangladesh. He congratulated the artist, and spoke about BGMEA's efforts in terms of promoting art. 

The exhibition’s opening ceremony took place on Saturday, May 20, and was graced by the presence of Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament as the chief guest. HE Marie Masdupuy, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh, Prof. Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, and Mr. Faruque Hassan, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) were also present as special guests.

The 30 artworks on display feature Sharmeen's delicate use of colours and distinctive brushstrokes in mixed media on paper and acrylic on canvas. She paints an imaginary world with natural elements using dramatic textures on white canvas with sinuous lines and lyrical strokes. The majority of the artworks were made during the previous two years and depict a colourful interpretation of nature. Her meditative observation on her surroundings lends a symbolic complexity to her artworks, which use nature as a metaphor to capture her lived experiences and imagine reality. 

The artworks in this series explore the grandeur of Bangladesh's nature. She draws inspiration from Bangla literature, philosophy, and mythologies, as well as the writings of literary and philosophical luminaries such as T S Eliot, Jibanananda Das, Kant, Derrida, and Foucault. Her artworks include kash and hyacinth flowers, paddy fields, rivers, birds, butterflies, fish, fireflies, and the immense expanse of the sky. It takes the audience on a transformative journey of exploring the essence of nature, in its true glory.

"I am deeply inspired by literature and philosophy, and they hold a special significance in my portrayal of nature. My artworks also reflect my childhood, spent in Gendaria, among gardens and lakes. The spontaneous beauty of the geese from our pond, dhundul flowers in the backyard, and soft breezes across the gardens all find a spot in my paintings," she mentioned.

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Laila Sharmeen’s ‘Golden Bengal’ kicks-off at AFD tomorrow

Her poetic self can be found in an essay accompanying her art, titled "Bedbug, Dhaka, and Toronto." It expresses her artistic purpose as she explains how she found fresh ideas for art in a variety of mediums. Her wide range of genres, from etching to painting to mixed media, is surprisingly minimalistic. The liberal use of empty space, in contrast to the rich colours and textures, enables visitors to contribute their own colours of imagination to complete the picture.

The exhibition also included her latest project, "Return to Nature". Vegetable seeds, contained in jute pouches, were coiled like a snake on the gallery floor, intending to fascinate visitors as they toured the display. After the inauguration, the pouches were distributed with the request that the seeds be planted in kitchen gardens. Sharmeen wants her audience to have a united experience with the exhibits while raising awareness about deforestation, global warming, and climate change. "My works convey a clarion cry to return to nature. It has a tint of nostalgia as I look back at the pristine nature of my childhood home, while also shedding light on the alarming changes brought about by capitalism," she explained.

The exhibition is open to all till Monday, May 29.