Recently, Anisuzzaman Anis, the country's famous printmaker and professor of Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University, has completed a prestigious three-week residency workshop in Guanlan Print Base, China.  Guanlan Original Printmaking Base is located in the hometown of famous printmaker Chen Yanqiao, the pioneer of Chinese New Woodcut Movement; as well as a renowned art theorist and educator. It is jointly established by the Shenzhen Bao’an District People’s Government, Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Artists Association. They decided to build a national original printmaking base with creation, production, exhibition, collection, communication, research, training and market development as one union of China’s Prints Industries. Printmaking Village, the core area of the printmaking base, was officially opened in May 2008. He was awarded at the International Guanlan Print Biennale earlier in 2011.  The artist previously won the Grand Prize at the Asian Biennale too. He is an outstanding contemporary printmaker who has received scholarships from the famous Pollock-Kersner Foundation of America and the Greenshield Foundation of Canada.  Artist Anisuzzaman Anis has been acclaimed worldwide for his recent series 'Kaleidoscopic Complexity'. He has been working on civic prosperity and multi-storied development complexities for more than a decade. He took the woodblock print medium to unique heights. He is a popular artist in this medium after art gurus Shafiuddin Ahmed, Rafiqun Nabi and Abdus Satter. He is one of the two Bangladeshi artists who received the grand prize through woodblock print medium at the prestigious Asian Biennale. The other name is Abdus Sattar.   This content has been prepared after a long conversation with the artist about his latest series Kaleidoscopic Complexity and the Guanlan residency. Anisuzzaman says about his new series of printmaking, 'This is my series of works which I started in 2009 and still on. It came in my mind while watching the fast urbanization of our capital city Dhaka. Through this series I tried to explain the necessity of urbanization and the negative side of the cityscape. As you know Bangladesh is too fast developing country, but somehow we are facing a number of hidden complexities which I love to to describe as 'Kaleidoscopic Complexity.'  The Department of printmaking was established in 1948 as a Graphic Art Department. This name has been changed to 'Printmaking Department' in 1978. In 2008 when Charukala became a Faculty of the Dhaka University, it became established as a well-known Department under Fine Art faculty of Dhaka University. This is one of the best departments of the university. Many renowned teachers and scholars worked in this department. I am proud to be a student and faculty of this department. About printmaking technique and tactis he says., 'We have all the techniques and procedures of printmaking in our department. Relief Process, Intaglio Process (Etching, Drypoint, etc), Planographic Process (Lithograph, Platography, etc), Offset Monotype and Monoprint. what I teach to my students specially is lithograph and wood block print process.'  Artist Anis informed us about printmaking tradition of China and Japan, 'China has a long history of printmaking. Also Japan has an enriched history too. As I studied in Japan I had to go through the historic journey of China and Japan's printmaking there.' Besides Anis mentioned his fascination on famous Chinese master printmakers Jhang Jhiaoshun, Jhang Minjhi, Hao Ping and others. He specially thanked Jao Jianchun the deputy director of the Guanlan Print Base for his gracious support.   While asked how to develop printmaking process in the coming years he says, 'Well, we need much devotion. We need to guide and train our students with care. We should keep our eyes open to catch and implement global printmaking movements. It is a continuous process. young and promising printmakers should participate in the international exhibitions, they must visit museums and galleries and need to collect catalogues and journals.'  Article courtesy, Rafique Sulayman : Art critic and writer.

In a world where art is a window to the soul, Snober Jeelani Shah, a 25-year-old professional artist hailing from the Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir, has emerged as a beacon of creativity and self-expression. With her undeniable talent and unwavering dedication, Snober has established herself as a rising star in the art community, captivating audiences with her thought-provoking works that delve deep into the realms of introspection. Snober's artistic journey began in 2018, but her passion for art dates back much further. After completing her Bachelor's degree in visual arts from the University of Kashmir in 2022, she embarked on a path to showcase her unique perspective through various platforms. Notably, Snober participated in the prestigious Students Kochi Biennale 2021-22, under the guidance and curation of the esteemed Vasuda Thozur. This experience served as a pivotal moment in her career, allowing her to connect with fellow artists and expand her artistic horizons. Reflecting on this opportunity, Snober said, "Participating in the Students Kochi Biennale was a transformative experience for me. It opened doors to new artistic possibilities and allowed me to interact with artists from diverse backgrounds, enriching my artistic journey." Acknowledging the importance of continuous learning, Snober actively sought opportunities to refine her skills. She attended a workshop organized by CP Krishnapriya at Kashmir University, which provided her with valuable insights and inspiration. Additionally, she participated in an online workshop led by Sujit Malik in 2020, further enriching her artistic repertoire. Talking about the impact of these workshops, Snober said, "Attending workshops has been instrumental in honing my artistic skills and expanding my creative vision. I am grateful for the valuable lessons and techniques I have learned, which have shaped my artistic journey." For Snober, art is more than just a visual medium; it is a profound form of introspection. "Art allows me to explore the depths of my thoughts and emotions, giving voice to the unspoken and unveiling hidden truths. It serves as a means of self-reflection, enabling me to better understand myself and the world around me," she said. This introspective approach is evident in her artwork, which resonates with viewers on a deeper level, evoking a range of emotions and inviting introspection. Throughout her journey, Snober credits her support system for fueling her passion. She expresses deep gratitude towards her friends, teachers, and family, who have always stood by her side. However, Snober says that her mentor Showkat Kathjoo has played a vital role in shaping her artistic identity. Speaking fondly of her mentor, Showkat Kathjoo, she said, "Mr Kathjoo has been my guiding light, constantly pushing me to challenge my boundaries and explore new artistic avenues. His unwavering belief in my abilities has been an endless source of inspiration." The guidance and encouragement from her mentor have been pivotal in Snober's artistic growth and development. Drawing inspiration from surrealist artists, Snober's work showcases a unique blend of imagination and reality. She seamlessly combines elements from her surroundings with abstract concepts, creating captivating visual narratives that stimulate the viewer's imagination. Explaining her artistic approach, Snober says, "Surrealist artists have had a profound impact on my work. Their ability to merge the ordinary with the extraordinary has inspired me to explore the limitless possibilities of artistic expression." Snober's talent has garnered recognition, with her participation in notable exhibitions, such as the Yuva Sambhava by the Raza Foundation in 2022 and her involvement in the Students Kochi Biennale 2021. These exhibitions have provided Snober with a platform to showcase her unique artistic voice and connect with art enthusiasts worldwide. Sharing her exhibition experiences, Snober shares, "Being part of these exhibitions has been a tremendous honour. It has given me the opportunity to share my artwork with a wider audience and receive valuable feedback that encourages me to continue pushing the boundaries of my artistic practice." Her commitment to art extends beyond exhibitions, as she actively participates in national and local camps. In March 2023, she attended VITASTA, a 7-day installation camp organized by the Lalit Kala Academy in Pune, where she further honed her skills and collaborated with fellow artists. "Participating in VITASTA was an immersive experience that allowed me to immerse myself in art and connect with artists who share the same passion. It was a transformative journey of creative exploration and self-discovery," she said. Most recently, Snober enthusiastically participated in a 7-day camp at Pahalgam, organized by the Sansar Chand Baru Memorial Trust, named Kavya Bhoomi, in June 2023. Talking about the same, Snober said, "The camp at Pahalgam provided me with a serene and picturesque backdrop to delve deeper into my artistic process. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, and fellow artists, and create art that reflects the essence of the beautiful Kashmiri landscape." Through her thought-provoking works and relentless pursuit of artistic growth, Snober reminds us that art has the capacity to transcend boundaries, bridge gaps, and ignite a fire within each of us. "Art is a language that speaks to the core of our being. I strive to create art that resonates with people on a deeper level, igniting emotions and sparking conversations. My ultimate goal is to touch hearts, inspire minds, and leave a lasting impact through my art," Snober said. 

Renowned artist Murtaza Bashir (88) is no more. After being infected with coronavirus he breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital in the capital on Saturday (Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun). Munira Bashir, daughter of Murtaza Bashir confirmed the information. She said that Murtaza Bashir passed away at 9:10 am. He was suffering from heart, lung and kidney ailments. Murtaza Bashir, son of renowned linguist Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, was born on August 17, 1932. He was an artist, language movementee, researcher and novelist. He played active role in the language movement. Murtaza Bashir was one of them who brought injured Abul Barkat to the hospital after police opened fire on student during the language movement on 21st February 1952. He was the Professor and chairman of Fine Arts department of Chattogram University. The most famous paintings of Murtaza Bashir are Dewal, Shahid Shironam, Pakha and many more. He was awarded with Ekushey Padak in 1980 and Swadhinata Purashkar in 2019. Read In Bangla Version AH

Ekushey Padak winning artist Kalidas Karmakar, a painter and printmaker of international repute, passed away on Friday afternoon. He was 73. “He fell down in the bathroom after suffering a cardiac arrest around 1:30pm at his Eskaton residence. He was taken to Labaid Specialized Hospital where the doctor pronounced him dead around 2pm,” Sourav Chowdhury, the Executive Art Director of Gallery Cosmos, told UNB. The body has been kept at BIRDEM General Hospital. His mortal remains will be cremated after his two daughters return to Bangladesh from the US.  Kalidas Karmakar was an adviser of Gallery Cosmos. Born on January 10, 1946, in Faridpur, Kalidas completed his graduation from the Government College of Fine Arts and Crafts in Kolkata in 1969.  He completed his pre-degree study in Fine Arts at the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University in 1964.  Kalidas Karmakar was awarded the Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018 for his contribution to fine arts. His diverse artworks featuring found objects, handmade paper, and oil on canvas prints have been widely exhibited throughout South Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the United States.  The artist’s very first solo art exhibition was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 7, 1976. He won the Polish Government Scholarship in Graphic Art at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Art, Warsaw University; French Government Superior Scholarship in Fine Arts, for research in multicolor etching at Atelier-17, in Paris; Japan Foundation Fellowship on Japanese Woodblock Printing, at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music; ICCR Special Scholarship for research in Contemporary Modern Sculpture, West Bengal Lalit Kala Academy Studio; and Asian Cultural Council New York, Fellowship with Artist Residency program in USA. In 2006, he received an ACC Fellowship to participate in a residency at the Point B Work lodge in Brooklyn. Major works by the artist have been collected by Kihak Sung, Youngone Corporation, Korea and Bangladesh, Hiroshi Toda, Takeo Yamaki, Takashi Kobayashi, Abul Khair, Chairman, Bengal Foundation, Ambassador Paulo Da Costa Franco, and many other private collectors, at home and abroad. Source: UNB AH