“Colour, tone and texture can be transformed according to location and moment. I think place/location is one of the most dominant aspects in any artist's life,” says Monirul Islam, famed Madrid-based Bangladeshi painter. Islam is currently in Dhaka.
The artist likes to work in different mediums. But print is his favourite, and he excels in the medium. “An artist should enjoy his/her creative freedom. An able artist can work in several mediums. There shouldn't be a set medium for an artist, and the method to articulate an artistic vision should depend on his/her mood and temperament. The practice of art differs from one individual to another, nation to nation, and period to period. This concept can be understood from Picasso's paintings. His style of drawing, lines, figures, movements -- all constitute his signature style. Picasso worked in different mediums, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and printmaking. But his personal style was consistent,” said Islam.
The seasoned artist considers pure colour to be the most effective way to express emotions and sensitivity. He believes that colour approaches the soul directly and is able to induce profound emotions in the viewer. Islam applies his colours meticulously, in thin layers, and reduces the texture of the paint to its most minimal expression. In the early '70s, he established a personal abstract language and maintains that style.
In 1969, when Monir was only 27 years old, he went to Spain on a scholarship. For nine months, during his studying days there, Islam worked on murals and frescos and won an award from the Spanish government. This allowed him to stay in Madrid for another year. During that period, he studied Goya's paintings (of the Black period) and tried to comprehend the significance of light, colour and composition.
After settling in Spain, the artist has been using paper as a medium. “Paper has a mystical quality. It gives my works a different appeal and look. After I started making my own paper, it gave my work a certain distinctness. During my early years in Spain, I did many watercolours, which mainly focused on the bucolic beauty of Bangladesh. I couldn't get over missing Bangladesh. My childhood, my teenage years -- significant stages of my life involve Bangladesh. I enjoyed reminiscing, and this led to a number of memorable works,” Islam recalled.
Each time an exhibition ends, the artist shakes his old ideas and starts fresh from the scratch. He sets on a new venture. The inspiration comes from various sources. Imagination and impression dominate his works.
In his leisure, the veteran artist enjoys watching movies, and attends exhibitions -- featuring classic art as well as to contemporary works. Velázquez, Goya, de Vinci, Michael Angelo and other master painters continue to inspire him. Islam often finds himself fascinated with the interplay of light, colours, figures, compositions, lines and themes in their works.
Source: thedailystar.net
