Analysis of Abstract Art in Bangladesh

Analysis of Abstract Art in Bangladesh Mohammad Ferdous Khan Shawon Part-time Faculty, Department of Graphic Design University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Email: ferdouskhan@du.ac.bd Abstract In this paper, the researcher has analysed the different elements and styles of abstract art in Bangladesh. In 50s and 60s, many Bangladeshi artists went abroad for higher studies. They got inspired by the Western style of art practices. A total of 30 art pieces have been collected and considered for this research. This research paper employed a qualitative approach. It can be said in findings that Bangladesh’s abstract art is characterized by different styles, colours, textures and shapes. There is a good number of followers of abstract art in Bangladesh. Keywords: art, abstract, abstraction, Bangladesh 1.0 Introduction The history of art, music, and culture in Bangladesh is extensive. In Bangladesh, common people or common viewers in the gallery find abstract art as mystery. Sometimes, they want to find the subject matter from the art pieces. But there is also a good admirer of abstract art, especially from the elite groups, art critics, and corporate buyers. Most of the population in Bangladesh is Muslim. Therefore, many Muslim art collectors consider non-figurative art as acceptable to their family and friends. In this paper, the researcher has analysed the different elements and styles of abstract art in Bangladesh. 2.0 Aim The aim of this research is to identify the content and styles of abstract art in Bangladesh. 3.0 Background Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin established Institute of Art and Craft in Dhaka in 1948 after the partition of India. Along with five other colleagues, he helped establishing the first art institute in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) at that time. Within ten years of the founding of this art school, modern art movements and styles were introduced into Bangladesh’s artistic landscape. In 50s and 60s, many Bangladeshi artists went abroad for higher studies. They were Aminul Islam, Mohammad Kibira, Murtaja Baseer, Abdur Razzaque and others. They got inspired by the 1 Western style of art practices. Some of them practiced non-representative style of art instead of pictorial story telling. 4.0 Methods Data and information have been collected from journal articles, books, and other online reliable sources. A total of 30 art pieces have been collected and considered for this research. The researcher has visited different art galleries in Bangladesh previously. The researcher has been conducting the course on Art of Bangladesh since 2022. Data and information have been checked several times to check the authenticity. This research paper employed a qualitative approach. 5.0 Theoretical Framework Clive Bell mentioned his theory of “significant form” in his book Art in 1914. Bell’s theory inspired many abstract artists in different countries. The starting point of all systems of aesthetics must be the personal experience of a peculiar emotion. The objects that provoke this emotion we call works of art. All sensitive people agree that there is a peculiar emotion provoked by art (Dickie 1997: 54). 6.0 Definition of Abstract Art Abstract art is a non-objective art form that breaks traditional, realistic art styles. It intends to inspire emotion and intangible experience, rather than telling a story or portraying realistic subjects (Sparks Gallery: n.d.). 7.0 Literature Review Evolutionary theory has argued that what people find “beautiful” is not arbitrary, but rather has evolved over millions of years of hominid sensory, perceptual, and cognitive evolution. Sensations that have adaptive value (i.e., that enhance safety, survival, and reproduction) often become aesthetically preferred. One hundred and four college participants (68 female) completed personality (openness and experience seeking) and social attitude questionnaires and recorded their preference for 15 realistic, 15 ambiguous, and 15 abstract works of art. Results showed that open participants preferred every form of art presented, but that this difference increased as the art became more abstract. In addition, those with attitudes more tolerant of political liberalism and drug use preferred abstract art the most (Gregory J. Feist and Tara R. Brady: 77-89). Lala Rukh Selim sheds light on political, social, cultural, and economic change and transformation of Bangladesh art scenario in her paper. The researcher has drawn a historical review on development of art in British India, Pakistan, and the growth in independent Bangladesh. It focuses on artistic practices in post-liberation Bangladesh and the evolving 2 current scene, influenced by trends of globalization, holding new challenges for artists (Selim 2014). 8.0 Observation and Analysis Previously, art institute or other type of art academy was not established in Bangladesh, Before the partition of India (1947), someone must go to Kolkata or other places in India if he/she wished to study in art institute. In 1948, the Art Institute was established at Johnson Road near Sadarghat area in Dhaka. In the 50s and 60s, artists of this region were inspired by the Western art style. At that time, Martial Law was imposed in Pakistan. During that time, freedom of expression was limited. Therefore, many artists in this region adapted the style of abstraction. However, figurative paintings were also done by many artists (Nazrul Islam 2015: 34). Some notable artists of abstract art in Bangladesh are below: Mohammad Kibria, Aminul Islam, Murtaja Baseer, Kazi Giyas, Mahmudul Haque, Devdas Chakrobarty, Abdur Razzaque and Abu Taher. Mohammad Kibria went to Japan in 50s. He started his abstraction in 60s. Afterwards, he has continued this practice next four decades He has expressed his creativity in colour, form, texture and composition. He has composed himself as the main founder of abstraction in Bangladesh (Nazrul Islam 2015: 35). Murtaja Baseer started his art practice in 60s through his Wall series. Baseer was inspired by the art language of Western art (Nazrul Islam 2015: 35). He has expressed the image of walls in his paintings. He used semi-abstract style in his paintings. Some bricks of wall are visible in his paintings. He has used grey, brown, and red dominating colours. He has not continued himself in a particular style. He has regularly transformed himself (Nazrul Islam 2015: 27). 9.0 Findings and Conclusion From the above discussion, it can be inferred that Bangladesh’s abstract art is characterized by different styles, colours, textures and shapes. We can see semi-abstract styles here also. In addition, the composition of Mohammad Kibria shows geometric shapes. In Bangladesh, abstract art is said to be diverse and influenced by the West, as well as native abstract elements also influenced the artists. Some of Bangladeshi paintings have a delicate touch of pure abstraction. There is a good number of followers of abstract art in Bangladesh. More research work should be conducted on Bangladeshi abstract art. 3 References Dickie, George. 1997. Introduction to Aesthetics an Analytic Approach. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Fiest, Gregory J., and Tara R. Brady. 2004. “Openness to Experience, Non-Conformity, and the Preference for Abstract Art”. Empirical Studies on the Arts 22(1):77-89. Islam, Nazrul. 2015. Bagnladesher Adhunik Chitrakala; Swadhinotar Agay O Porey. Dhaka: Bangladesh National Museum. Lala Rukh Selim, “Art of Bangladesh: The Changing Role of Tradition, Search for Identity and Globalization”, South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal [Online], 9 | 2014, Online since 22 July 2014, connection on 21 September 2021. http://journals.openedition.org/samaj/3725 (Retrieved on March 4, 2024) What is Abstract Art? Definition & Examples. https://sparksgallery.com/learn/what-is-abstract-art (Retrieved on March 14, 2024) 4