When one entered the exhibition space, he or she would have immediately noticed a harmony between two distinct art forms paintings, displayed along the walls and sculptures, strewn about on the floor. The two artists are sculptor Ferdousy Priyabhashini, a self-taught artist, and painter Karu Titas, a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. Their works were different in terms of character, style and approach but seemed to be in sync on a fundamental level. Perhaps this was because Ferdousy Priyabhashini and Karu Titas are mother and son. Light and Shadow was a unique duet exhibition that brought two artists from different mediums into creative harmony.
Ferdousy Priyabhashini’s reverence for nature was apparent from her wood sculptures. In her art, every component of the tree served to express her views on life. If we may briefly consider the life of an ordinary tree we can understand the strong symbolism behind her use of this form. A tree is born with its roots planted firmly in the ground. It grows over several years, surviving the march of time and the changing seasons. In that time its roots become wild and their forms are warped and twisted. But the tree perseveres, its branches stretching in every direction in a frantic attempt to reach the sky. It was this indomitable spirit, this defiant pursuit of light, which formed the central meaning behind the artists work. Her sculptures featured carvings of human and animal figures in the wood. Priyabhashini shed light on the soul of nature, the beauty in its struggle to survive and the intrinsic relationship it has with man.

Karu Titas impressionist paintings were deeply personal. He displayed an expert level of control over colours and used them to play with light and shadow and expressed himself on canvas. His works brought us back to nature and like his mother’s sculptures showed how we are now and will always be connected to it. Boats rested on the banks of a river in one of his paintings; a tin house sat perched atop a small hill beneath the stars in another. These paintings were quiet and contemplative in tone, showing man existing alongside nature in tranquility. Titas has evolved as an artist and painter and has become a master of his chosen art form.

The exhibition brought conflicting forms and ideas – man and nature, paintings and sculptures, light and shadow – and created a harmony between them.

Date: 24.05.2013 – 04.06.2013
Venue: Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts
Organiser: Bengal Foundation
Entry condition: Open to public.