A month-long solo special exhibition of artworks by veteran artist Hashem Khan titled 'Joratalir Chalchitra' was inaugurated on January 5 at Kabi Sufia Kamal auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum, Shahbagh ion the city.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor were present as the guests of honour at the inaugural ceremony. Presided over by educationist Professor Borhan Uddin Khan Jahangir, Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy; senior cartoonist Rafiqun Nabi and historian Professor Muntasir Mamun were also attended the event. Director General of Bangladesh National Museum Fayzul Latif Chowdhury delivered welcome speech at the inauguration.
Born in Chandpur, Hashem Khan graduated from Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University in 1961. He was a professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts for 44 years and retired in 2007. As he was born and grew up in a village, his works reflect the natural beauty of the village, rural life and many other things. His drawing style is different and has made a significant contribution in the book covers and illustrations.
Vibrant colours, bold brush strokes, coarse lines and imagery are the prime elements of Hashem Khan's paintings. Khan is a noted painter who has been contributing to the Bangladeshi art arena for over 50 years.
In the early and mid '70s, a number of painters made the Liberation War the subject of their works; some of them actively participated in the war. After independence, they articulated their experiences through their art. Hashem Khan was one of them. He was born and raised in Chandpur.
Many of his paintings highlight rural panorama and life in the villages. However, Khan has made a major attempt to connect contemporary themes with the Liberation War. He is very prudent in his use of colours. It is said that a skilled painter is also a good chemist. Khan tries to ensure the perfect combination between the colours.
The artist has made a great attempt to change the composition, but the themes are very limited in his works. His paintings give voice to the masses of the country. Green, red and yellow have been mostly used in his works. Various abstract forms and compositions also find a place on his canvas. Most of his forms and compositions give a touch of nature and its varied fascinating aspects. One can easily get an impression of his fondness for and intense observation of nature. The artist is fastidious about his use of space, which gives an outstanding depth to his works.
At the exhibition, he has worked with varied materials and experimented with sculptures and murals.
He received Ekushey Padak in 1992 and Independence Day Award in 2011.
The exhibition will remain open to all every day from 10:30am to 7:30pn, until January 31.
