Page 47 - Art and Crafts of Bangladesh

44 ART AND CRAFTS

uncompromisingly vocal in support of
new styles in art and against
conservatism. His restlessness in the
quest for ways in art combined with his
hyperactive nature does not create any
particular characteristic in his
artworks, rather they remain as
fragmented emanations of an inspired
and excited creative mind. Hamidur
Rahman’s temperament is
unconventional and individualistic, in
fact he is one of the front line soldiers
in initiating new trends of art in East
Pakistan. In his study of painting,
Hamidur Rahman has remained ever
absorbed in experimenting with
fig. 1.24 Hamidur various diverse approaches. Which is why he has practiced in various styles, as he has
Rahman, Flute Player, brought diversity in the use of materials – use of sand, printing ink are examples of
oil, 1956 this diversity. Despite this diversity, his major tendency is towards the representational
(fig. 1.24) and Abstract Expressionism. This expression has sometimes progressed
towards the geometric composition of shapes, sometimes an inclination towards
clusters of color and texture, while sometimes calligraphic lines have played the main
role. Whenever he has moved towards abstraction, he has used lines which are
recognizably oriental in character. Image of the wounded, anguished modern human
mind is captured in his artwork, which is sometimes expressed in a horrifying way. As
far as murals are concerned, Hamidur Rahman deserves the honor of one of the
leading pioneers in this country. The total number of murals created by him in various
buildings in Bangladesh and Pakistan is more than any other artist of this country. The
mural painting that he created in the Dhaka University library during 1957-58 is still
a significant artwork in this field. Among the other mural paintings, the central
Shaheed Minar, the State Bank of Pakistan and the Bank of America buildings in
Karachi, Commonwealth Institute Gallery in England, and the Janata and Uttara Bank
buildings in London can be mentioned. It is in mural painting where Hamidur Rahman
has shown greatest dexterity. Here the manifestation of emotion is restrained and the
two-dimensionality and architectonic properties of mural painting can be observed.
Along with Novera Ahmed he has jointly designed the historical Shaheed Minar
commemorating the Language Movement. In later times, this monument has been
hugely appreciated and Shaheed Minars have been built in every corner of the country
resembling this design in various forms.
As Rashid Choudhury is different from his contemporaries in terms of the style of his
art, similarly his distinctive characteristic is manifested in his use of medium; apart
from oil painting, he has worked with tempera, gouache and other not so prevalent