Whenever the story of the modern art movement in Bangladesh is written, the name of Aminul Islam (1931-2011) will come out at the top. He explored new frontiers in the use of forms, colors, and ideas, which significantly contributed to the development of arts in the country after independence.
As a student, instructor, and inquest, Islam's endeavor in the sphere of art moved out of the confines of artistry such that he earned the title of a modernist artist who was at ease in the synthesis of the old ways with the new ones.
History and Education Aminul Islam
Aminul Islam was born in the Chittagong District of Bengal in a beautiful area of nature that affected his love for the natural world, a recurrent theme in most of his work. A love for art was seen in religion from childhood, and he went on to study art formally at the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Kolkata (Government College of Arts & Crafts, Kolkata). There, he trained under the guidance of eminent artists such as Zainul Abedin and Quamrul Hassan. Such training and education are crucial among artists.
Still, Islam continued owing to this expert level of training. He later settled in Europe, where he studied at the Academy di Belle Arti di Firenze, an art university located in Italy. This exposure to Western art and their ideas helped their understanding change a lot in a very big way to develop a global outlook in terms of their work.
Changes in Art and Style
Islam's artistic style evolved over the years, influenced by his exposure to various cultures, both Eastern and Western. Initially, his work was more figurative, akin to that of his teacher, Zainul Abedin, focusing on the rural and political life of Bangladesh. However, his time in Europe introduced him to new forms of art, particularly abstract and non-objective art, which he began to incorporate into his work in the later stages of his career.
Aminul Islam's creativity was based on the use of geometric shapes and rich colors and textures, which was constructive in approach. His native firm style is persistent even in his contemporary pieces, where he dresses and integrates folk and regional influences into his works. Such a combination of contemporary methods and local traditions made his paintings stand out in the art scene of Bangladesh. His works were open to multiple interpretations, allowing people to find their own meanings, mostly through forms and lines.
Major Contributions and Exhibitions
Aminul Islam's contributions to the art scene in Bangladesh are not limited to his own creations. He was one of the pioneering members of the Institute of Fine Arts (now the Faculty of Fine Arts) at Dhaka University, where he served as a faculty member for a significant period. His role as a mentor and educator was as influential as his role as an artist, as he was able to shape and inspire a new wave of modern Bangladeshi art.
Over the years, Aminul Islam's work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, both in Bangladesh and internationally. His participation in exhibitions in Italy, India, Pakistan, and the USA not only attracted admirers to his unique style but also served as a platform for him to share the cultural richness of Bangladesh with the world. In Bangladesh, his paintings were exhibited in major galleries, forming a significant part of the country's art history.
Legacy of Aminul Islam
Even after his death in 2011, the works of Aminul Islam remain relevant and stimulate the mind. He innovatively combined the elements of the modernist movement and the traditions of Bengali art, and this niche still stands today in Bangladesh. However, as a teacher, he opened up a creative environment for the coming generations, causing the rise of the current face of Bangladeshi art.
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