Artist Shamsul Alam Azad's Exhibition Explores Nature Born from Color
A solo exhibition titled 'Drishyoman Kathamo' (Visible Structure) by artist Shamsul Alam Azad, Principal of Narayanganj Institute of Fine Arts, opened on July 4th at Gallery Chitrak. The exhibition, running until July 18th, showcases Azad's unique approach to art, where nature emerges not from direct observation, but from the spontaneous interplay of color, line, light, and texture. His artistic philosophy views nature as a creative process rather than a subject to be replicated. Azad explained that his art begins with joy, much like music develops from notes and vibrations. A single dot of color, a line, or a textural play expands organically, sometimes clashing, to form new structures that later evoke memories of landscapes like mountains, rivers, or skies. Consequently, nature in his work is an outcome of color's self-development, not imitation. The exhibition features works from three series: 'Kathamo-r Boibhab' (Splendor of Structure), 'Ronger Boibhab' (Splendor of Color), and 'Bhudrisyer Boibhab' (Splendor of Landscape), all interconnected by the arrangement of color, form, and texture. While 'Bhudrisyer Boibhab' occasionally hints at recognizable natural elements like agricultural divisions or riverine atmospheres, the core remains the abstract composition. His watercolor pieces are particularly noted for their translucent layers and gentle flow, offering a meditative quality. Though some works show more direct representations of mountains, rivers, or light's effect on land, the emphasis is on feeling rather than strict imitation. Most of the artworks, created between 2010 and 2026, are small-scale, fostering an intimate connection with the viewer, unlike the large canvases often used for texture-based abstract art in Bangladesh. Azad's distinct artistic language, while potentially showing influences from artists like Kibria and Safiuddin, ultimately stands on its own. The exhibition demonstrates that nature can be born within colors, with abstract elements gradually taking the form of the visible world, highlighting the mystery of nature's emergence from within color itself.
This exhibition challenges conventional artistic representation by positing that nature can emerge organically from abstract elements like color and texture, rather than solely from visual observation. This perspective shifts the focus from mimetic representation to the intrinsic generative processes within artistic media. The artist's method, beginning with spontaneous color interactions and later discovering natural forms, suggests a dialogue between subconscious creation and conscious interpretation. In the context of the evolving digital and AI-driven art landscape, where algorithmic generation and emergent properties are increasingly prevalent, Azad's approach offers a compelling analogue. It prompts consideration of how 'nature' or 'reality' can be perceived and constructed through non-traditional, process-oriented means, and how human perception adapts to these emergent visual languages. The emphasis on smaller scale fosters a personal, contemplative viewer experience, contrasting with the grandiosity often associated with large-scale abstract works, potentially reflecting a societal shift towards more intimate forms of engagement in an increasingly interconnected world.
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