Katerina Don
Bengal Art Lounge

This exhibition stands at odds with the tendencies of contemporary art. It is not interactive, it does not have audio elements, does not need running commentary to explain it, and the only movement is a classical one: the movement of thought and strokes. But looking at the artist’s background, it comes of no surprise that he is a representational painter.

Carel Richter studied in one of the bastions of classical painting in Europe, the Royal Academy of Art and Design in The Hague, Netherlands. His heritage is also a determining factor – not only of what he paints, but also how he paints it – Carel is partly from the Netherlands, a country with a legacy of representational painting.

It does not take keen perception to recognize the influence of Vincent van Gogh in Richter’s swirling brush strokes and ambition to express more than mere form. The works are charged with determination and eagerness to supersede what is seen, as if the artist seeks to perfect reality.

The revolutionary choreographer Pina Bausch is quoted as saying of her dancers ‘I am not interested in how they move as in what moves them’. It is similar to art, where the technique and the subject are only expressions of a deeper need and inclination. Carel’s fascination with dancers is an interest in movement, expression and passion.

The dance is a sacred ritual in many cultures. It is attributed to the power to change weather, gain the attention and favor of the gods, and to make the world spin.

Carel’s dancers are moving to a more modern rhythm, they are emotive and sensual. He uses dance as a metaphor for human relationships; complex and yet predefined. Like the Tango, which allows for elements of spontaneity, but within a rigid framework of steps.

Bangladesh has its own tradition of representational painting. The influences are different and so are the tones and subjects – it is impossible to separate the art from the artist. This exhibition offers an interesting insight into how artists work ‘under the influence’ and how the final product is a compilation of various subtle references, influences, memories, and concepts.

*William Butler Yeats