Cosmos Art Echo, the artist talk initiative of Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71, held its 10th session titled “The Story of an Angry Man Talking to a Wall” on Friday afternoon with internationally renowned Bangladeshi artist Mahbubur Rahman as the guest speaker.

The session was held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Cosmos Atelier71 Studio at Cosmos Centre in Malibagh, Dhaka.

Mahbubur Rahman, widely recognised for his multidisciplinary practice, conceptual depth and contribution to contemporary art discourse in Bangladesh, spoke extensively about his artistic journey, experimentation with different mediums, creative philosophy and the challenges of contemporary art practice.

Reflecting on his early years at the Faculty of Fine Arts, he said although many teachers and senior artists encouraged him to pursue sculpture, he was always deeply fascinated by painting.

He said sculpture appeared to him as more studio-oriented, while painting offered greater possibilities for interaction with people, exploration and movement.

The artist recalled how Asian Art Biennale exhibitions played a transformative role during his student years, describing them as “eye-opening” experiences that exposed him to global artistic languages and visual cultures.

He said Dhaka city itself functions like a “visual book” for him, where streets, neighbourhoods, people and professions continuously inspire his artistic imagination and storytelling.

Mahbubur Rahman said he often views urban spaces like Old Dhaka as cinematic sequences filled with narratives, textures and human interactions that later become reflected in his works.

Discussing artistic creativity, he spoke about Renaissance masters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, saying artists possess immense imaginative capacity capable of transcending boundaries between painting, sculpture, architecture and other forms.

He described the artistic process as similar to scanning and printing reality through the mind and hand, emphasising that artists should not remain trapped within comfort zones.

The artist also reflected on competition within society and the art world, saying artists often struggle due to limited platforms, lack of institutional support and highly competitive environments.

He shared memories of receiving the Asian Art Young Award but said he did not even attend the award ceremony, explaining that recognition itself was never his primary motivation.

Mahbubur Rahman further discussed his long engagement with folk traditions, rickshaw painting, collaborations with traditional painters from Nepal and Mithila artists, alongside his experimentation with figurative forms, textures and surface treatments in painting.

He also highlighted his interest in documentary filmmaking, digital art and large-scale collaborative projects, lamenting the limited support structures available for experimental artistic practices in Bangladesh.

The artist said much of his artistic vocabulary developed from observations of Dhaka’s streets, public spaces, crowds and marginal communities.

He recalled how scenes from English Road and encounters with urban subcultures deeply influenced his early “Broken” series, which marked the beginning of his experimentation outside strict academic painting practices after completing his master’s studies.

Speaking during the session, Enayetullah Khan, Chairman of Cosmos Foundation and Editor Emeritus of United News of Bangladesh, described the venue as an imaginative space enriched further through artistic engagement.

He said conversations and informal exchanges are essential for intellectual and artistic growth, adding that art gatherings should function more like “adda” than formal meetings.

Enayetullah Khan also reflected on creativity, observation and the importance of absorbing life experiences, saying every crisis contains opportunities for reflection and renewal.

He noted that Cosmos Art Echo aims to create a space where artists, journalists, thinkers and audiences can interact freely through discussions and cultural exchange.

The session concluded with audience interaction and informal conversations among artists and attendees.

Cosmos Art Echo continues its commitment to dialogue, exchange and critical engagement in contemporary art practice through regular artist talks and cultural activities.

Launched under the Atelier71 Membership Programme, the initiative has been bringing together artists, thinkers and audiences through activities including art camps, workshops, film screenings, outdoor art events and auctions.