Body and the Map: Of wounds and Hope
Beautifully curated by Sharmillie Rahman, the exhibition “Body and the Map” took place on Bengal Shilpalay between 15 and 28 December, 2024. By engaging viewers to contemplate the interaction of power, identity, and transition, “Body and the Map” was more than just another decent exhibition that had the July-August uprising as its subject matter; the exhibition not only acted as a stark reminder about what must not be forgotten but also intrigued the audiences to introspect. Consisting of the artworks of ten multidisciplinary artists, many of whom were active participants in the mass uprising that overthrew a long-standing regime, “Body and the Map” was a riveting look at societal upheaval in the aftermath of that student-led mass rebellion. The show, based on the collective memory of Bangladesh’s last July-August, is both a reflection and a debate about the force of resistance, the weight of trauma, and the possibility of change. Their work delves into the complicated reality of a country dealing with its old and fresh scars and the tiers of collective psychological state of the mass after the newfound independence. The participating artists were A. Asan, Afsana Sharmin, Ashang Mong, Farzana Ahmed, Mong Mong Shay, Niazuddin Ahmmed, Palash Bhattacharjee, Rasel Rana, Razib Datta, and Ripon Saha. The July-August uprising was characterised by an unprecedented feeling of urgency, as residents defied persecution to demand justice, equality, and dignity. However, the road to liberation came at a high cost, with bodies mutilated, lives lost, and a collective psyche permanently transformed. The show explores this dichotomy, emphasising the body as both a personal and societal vessel for history, pain, and resilience. The artworks that were adorned by the gallery space delve deeply into the concept of the body as a source of memory and resistance. Whether through physical depictions or abstract interpretations, the ten artists highlighted how the human body bears the weight of institutional injustice and governmental violence. The visual narratives starkly remind us about biopolitical disposability, demonstrating how individuals became victims of normalised violence during the authoritarian system. The relationship between body and land appears as a repeating pattern, emphasising identities defined by culture, religion, race, and gender, all of which intersect within a nation’s sovereign borders. However, these links are loaded with tension, since the scars of authoritarian authority and systematic impunity are etched on both the body and map. In the aftermath of this historic movement, “Body and the Map” illustrated the dialectics of trauma and renewal, hopelessness and optimism. The exhibition stressed the importance of open discourse and the reframing of identity and government as centralised power disintegrates and something new emerges. Despite recollections of terror, violence, and loss, the artworks elicit a cautious hope. The collective body politic, though scarred, remains resilient, signalling a determination to redefine itself and the map it inhabits. Written by Shahbaz Nahian
“Timber Tales” sparks a dialogue in wood and ink
The ongoing exhibition titled Timber Tales at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, invites audiences to experience the collaborative journey of three emerging artists who explore memory, process, and material through the art of woodcut printmaking. Within the exhibition, a faint, earthy scent of wood and ink hangs in the air. Walking into the gallery, some might find themselves pausing longer than expected, tracing the grain of the wood, as if searching for their own stories between the lines. The exhibition features three artists—Rakib Alam Shanto, Shakil Mridha, and Abu Al Naeem—who express individuality through their woodcut prints. This contemplative exhibition is running from June 17 to June 25, 2025. Curated by the artists themselves, the exhibition reimagines the possibilities of woodcut as a medium. Here, the tactile intimacy of carved timber meets the visual language of reflection, nostalgia, and search. As you wander through the space, individual voices emerge. Shakil Mridha’s work, with its minimalistic yet profound geometric forms, feels like a contemporary ode to Bangladeshi folk art, skillfully abstracting familiar motifs. Rakib Alam Shanto’s large-scale black and white pieces command attention, a powerful revival of a classic tradition, showcasing his remarkable focus. And Abu Al Naeem’s pieces, often abstract, subtly reveal hidden figures, reflecting his continuous exploration of materials and techniques. Each artist, in their unique way, elevates woodcut beyond mere reproduction, transforming it into a medium of profound personal expression. And through that expression, each of their work reflects the heart of the creative process, where stories are carved into existence. At the heart of Timber Tales is a tribute to beginnings, to the mentor who shaped them, and to the space where it all began. Their acknowledgement of Professor Md. Anisuzzaman, whose generous guidance helped steer their vision, reveals the deeply collaborative ethos of the show. “This is where it all began—for the three of us,” reads a line from the exhibition note, underscoring the intimate bond between craft, community, and coming-of-age. In an era of digital immediacy, there’s something revolutionary about the deliberate slowness of woodcut. And the three artists have breathed new life into the ancient art of woodcut. More than just a technique, it’s a dialogue between human touch and natural materials. Each frame holds a deeper narrative of tireless dedication—the careful selection of wood, the precise cuts, the methodical inking, and the final, expectant press. Open to all and continuing until 25 June 2025, Timber Tales will leave visitors with more than just images on paper. In a city rushing to reinvent itself, the exhibition feels like a pause, a reminder of our roots with a sense of belonging—to the artists, to the materials, and to the timeless, meditative act of making. Written By Samira Ahsan
In Search of the Mangrove Goddess
Exploring the Sundarbans’ cryptic mangroves may be a weird, larger-than-life experience. When danger occurs in this wide wilderness, instinct frequently prompts one to seek spiritual protection. In such cases, the Sundarbans’ guardian spirit—Bon Bibi or Bono Bibi—is invoked. Bon Bibi is revered by the local forest dwellers as the divine guardian of the region’s treacherous environment. From April 4 to April 20, the Kalakendra gallery at the capital’s Lalmatia featured “In Quest of Bono-Bibi,” a mixed-media solo exhibition by artist Saidul Haque Juise. Juise, known for his precise craftsmanship, bright masks, and three-dimensional compositions, returned with a solo display following a long absence. Bon Bibi’s mythology is unique in that it combines both the Islamic and Hindu traditions, and it is commonly held that invoking her name in times of crisis promises divine assistance. The stories related to Bon Bibi are woven in a rich tapestry of mythology, which prodded Juise’s psyche when he was a child. Later in life, deeply touched by the Sundarbans’ environmental deterioration, he created this body of work as a lament and devotion to nature. This anthology, with its recurring themes of environmental concern and political overtones, combines lyrical extracts from folklore or shloks related to Bon Bibi with his own storytelling. The birth of these artworks dates back to the COVID pandemic. A time when despair loomed large. It was during this emotional upheaval that the artist Juise channeled his sorrow, frustration, and fear into a series of expressive sketches. Using vibrant shades of black, green, red, and blue— which are reminiscent of traditional Bangladeshi folk pottery— Juise stained his pages with raw emotion. Later, by combining various materials, such as twisted metal wires, paint, ink, handmade paper, newspaper pieces, etc., Juise enhanced the series even further. He was able to convey Bon Bibi’s holy force and the forest’s ethereal essence through these components. His line drawings smoothly blend with his pen and ink pieces to create complex collages that have a vibrant yet delicate vibe. In the meanwhile, the collection gains a tactile, even unearthly quality from his wire sculptures. The series gives viewers a deep feeling of Bon Bibi’s pervasive atmosphere. Along with his technical finesse, Juise added a unique Bengali flavor to the pieces. He skillfully combined the forms of people, animals, and insects to create flowing silhouettes that convey both motion and motionlessness. These shapes convey a duality: sadness that is subdued yet evident and fury that is controlled but strong. In doing so, Juise creates a collection of work that is both visually pleasing and profoundly significant by balancing artistic form with emotional weight. “In Quest of Bono-Bibi” stands much like an artistic diary that procures the artist’s personal reflections, cultural memory, and the urgent call for ecological reverence. It bridges folklore and modernity, spirituality and artistry—ultimately offering a visual testament of healing and harmony between humans and the natural world.
