Jamal 2020: A Quarantine collection to captivate your imagination
Jamal Ahmed’s techniques and brush strokes give the canvases a lively look and texture
Professor Jamal Ahmed's solo exhibition is going on at Galleri Kaya in Uttara.
Showcasing a collection of his beautiful artworks, the exhibition began on November 27 and will conclude on December 18.
A total of 54 artworks, done in mixed media on paper, are on display at the exhibition.
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The artworks were created this year during the coronavirus pandemic, when the artist stayed in quarantine like many others.
Jamal Ahmed is known for successfully portraying the country's scenic beauty as well as gypsy women, oarsmen, boatmen, flood-affected people, bucolic panoramic view, riverine people, metropolis, bauls, mendicants, working class people and many more.
His techniques and brush strokes give the canvases a lively look and texture.
From a range of his exquisite artworks, The Business Standard selected a few for its readers.
TBS Picks
The catches
Done in mixed media on paper, this 87x62cm painting depicts the remarkable life of the fishermen.
The artwork highlights two men catching fish on the river with nets.
From the artwork it can be interpreted that they are a father-son duo who have been fishermen for generations. Colour and texture of this painting will create a soothing feeling on the visitors' minds.
Talking about the painting, Jamal Ahmed said, "I noticed this scene on my way to village which mesmerised me, thus, I articulated the scene on my canvas."
Waiting-2
This beautiful painting, done in mixed media on paper, will grab attention of the visitors for its vibrant colours.
Yellow, red, and pink are perfectly balanced with other dark colours such as black, brown, and navy blue.
In the painting, a woman is seen holding her child. Both of them are faced towards the river where the fishermen are busy catching fish.
The artist said, "This is also another scene which I saw in a village or somewhere else, I cannot recall properly now. I thought maybe the baby was crying for her father and the mother was trying to calm her down."
"While being isolated due to the pandemic, I recalled the scene from my memory and seized the moment on canvas."
Baul-2
It is one of the best displayed works at the art show. Every single detail of this painting is spectacular.
The 42x30cm painting depicts a baul, captured in a rare moment, lost in thoughts while playing his musical instrument.
His gesture, expression of the eyes, and the ornaments around his neck are beautifully depicted on the canvas.
The story behind this painting is very interesting. Jamal Ahmed informed us that the baul comes to his residence very often. "This artwork is very close to my heart as I know my subject matter very well and I see him often."
Lady with pigeons-8
Darkness dominates this canvas. The hauntingly beautiful painting portrays a woman holding a white pigeon in her hand –giving off a feeling of sadness, and loneliness. Her eyes seem to carry oceans of grief and sorrow.
We asked Jamal Ahmed what made him paint the woman as a sad person, he replied, "Initially I did not plan to make her face visible and the painting had a different name. Later, I changed the name and style of the painting."
"I usually draw portraits based on real people or models, not from photographs or anything else," he added.
