‘The Story of Art’ features an impressive blend of renowned and fresh artists
As I entered the "The Story of Art", it was hard not to notice the tall walls and greenhouse-like structure of Aloki greenhouse. As an admirer of art, the excitement was palatable as I could see legendary artists like Rafiqun Nabi and Monirul Islam gracing the premises – it was an exclusive first look of the event, arranged by Dhaka Storytellers.
The exhibition, however, has now opened its gates for all, and will continue till February 13 at Aloki in the capital's Gulshan area. This art exposé brings under one roof the brilliant pieces by Rafiqun Nabi, Monirul Islam, Farida Zaman, Hamiduzzaman Khan, Shahabuddin Ahmed, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, among and many others. It provides an interesting blend between the newcomers and the maestros of the artistic arena, their paintings and sculpture are open for sale to all who appreciate and want to contribute for a social cause -- The organisers pledge to contribute a percentage from the sales proceeds to the rural education of Bangladesh.
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The inaugural ceremony held on Friday, February 7 at the same venue was a star-studded affair– the event was only open to the participating artistes, their friends and family, media personnel and the media. Legendary painters Rafiqun Nabi, Farida Zaman and Monirul Islam chaired a small discussion, urging everyone to buy art and help patron rural education. While a section of the invitees sat down to attend the small ceremony, the rest roamed around the gallery discussing how much or little they really understood the art hung on the walls, which are waiting to be appreciated and sold, or already sold. The exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance for art aficionados and patrons to don their living rooms with artwork and change a child's life at the same time.
The artworks displayed cover different genres and spaces of life and living in cities, villages and hill tracts of the country; many sculptures and portraits are seen to depict the spirituality and struggle of our daily lives. Each artwork has a story to tell. The beautifully curated canvases include pieces like "The Moment", "The Colours of Time", "Madonna in the Rainforest", "The Love for Green and Blue"– adding a poetic touch to each painting.
On the first-look event, live classical music perforated the cool February air, mixed with the harmonious chaos of chitchat. The organizers thoughtfully arranged for seating space in the centre of the exhibition, offering a luxurious chance to rest and admire art. One can also take home a carefully curated catalogue documenting the artists' lives and understanding of the creative arts. For Dhaka dwellers with few options to pass their time in a meaningful way, this 7-day art exhibition from 8-13 February is a wonderful chance to immerse themselves in the world of art.
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