Confluence- Celebrating India- Bangladesh Printmaking on view from 22nd January to 31st January 2020 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
Making a beautiful visual connect between cultures across countries and erasing the idea of a border, the show ‘Confluence’ at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
The word confluence denotes a meeting of sorts – that is, the meeting of ideas, people, cultures, rivers and even artistic mediums. In this case, the confluence spans across two sides- Bangladesh and India – that have seen much history and art develop over time.
Organized by The Art Route gallery (within the India Habitat Centre), the combination of two incredibly vibrant cultures is quite palpable through their selection of work. The medium itself is quite ancient and has a myriad techniques that can be played and manipulated with. Co- curator Lubna Sen stated that – ‘…Confluence was born out of this mission to create something more collectively for printmaking, to promote a deeper appreciation amongst the collectors, to extend its scope and to reach out to more people at the same time.’
Ranging from monochromatic works to intricate woodcuts, the images are a testament of skill, experience and artistic depth. The works of Ajit Seal are almost painterly, taking on a soft light and organic gesture within the forms. The composition plays between the boundaries of looking like a painting and being executed as a print, toying with the idea of the mediums and combining them through expertise.
Vijay Bagodi – the current Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and a prolific printmaker – his works have been showcased all over India. Highly conceptual and deeply contrasting, the print is sharp, succinct and yet utterly feminine in its approach.
Monirul Islam (Bangladesh) – uses earthy tones and minimal gestures to puncture his canvas with depth. The image is thoroughly abstract and layered, with many different themes and approaches.
And finally, Anisuzzaman, also from Bangladesh – carries an exquisite language of the city and its fervent landscapes. In this particular work, the pastel shades are unmistakable and do not betray any time of the day. The intricate details and subtle structure eases onto the audience’s perspective and we are drawn into the work like a scene from a film.