Dhaka Art Circle (DAC) is a well-known group of artists of Bangladesh, formed in 1993. Since then they have arranged regular exhibitions, workshops and seminars at least once a year. The group is led by veteran artists such as Samarijit Roy Choudhury and Abu Taher, and runs on the basis of cooperation among younger and older artists. It is an exceptional group in the sense that the exhibitions are arranged with a mission, that is, to provide philanthropic service to the people, society and culture as a whole. The income generated from the paintings is generally spent for humanitarian causes. For example, last year DAC extended help to flood and cyclone victims. The current show is the 10th group exposition to their credit. Another important feature about organizing the shows is to encourage and inspire those artists who have moved away from the mainstream but were active in the past. This is a unique gesture shown to artists, who, through DAC’s efforts have made a comeback to the creative world.

DAC’s exhibitions have allowed art to travel from the capital to outlying areas such as Chittagong and Jahangirnagar. Through these and other efforts their activities have gradually spread to other places of the country. The current exhibition titled A Pageant of Forms and Figures at Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts features 60 artworks created by 12 artists. The paintings are mainly of the semi-abstract, semi-realistic genre, although some have been produced in the pure abstract expressionist style. There is also a good mix of collage with oil and acrylic. The theme is largely nature in which man and society interplay. As a special gesture DAC is, from now on, introducing a special programme to honour the art critics of the country. It is a praiseworthy effort no doubt, as art critics, in spite of offering cooperation and support to artists through writings and constructive criticism, are generally neglected in the greater perspective of the art arena. As someone involved in the thankless job of critiquing art for a long time at the persuasion of my artist friends, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to DAC. I wish A Pageant of Forms and Figures all success.

Rabiul Husain