The weeklong printmaking workshop and exhibition 'From Darkness to Light: When Guanlan Meets Dhaka' recently concluded at the Safiuddin Ahmed Printmaking Studio in the capital's Dhanmondi, with leading Bangladeshi artists praising the initiative for nurturing young talents.
Eminent artist Professor Rafiqun Nabi attended the closing ceremony on Wednesday evening as the chief guest, while noted artist and freedom fighter Professor Abul Barq Alvi was present as the special guest.
Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art Professor and renowned printmaker Professor Anisuzzaman Anis, who conducted the workshop, also joined the ceremony, which was presided over by artist Ahmed Nazir Khokon, founder of the Safiuddin Shilpalay.
The workshop, held from August 20 to 27 with the participation of selected students from different universities and 40 artists chosen by Safiuddin Ahmed Printmaking Studio, ended with a certificate distribution ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Rafiqun Nabi reflected on the evolution of woodcut practice in Bangladesh. Sharing his own journey as a printmaker, he said, “In the early days, there were limited opportunities for printmaking training, and we had to overcome many obstacles."
"Fortunately, I learned from various workshops at home and abroad. I hope the participants of this training will continue to practice not only academically but also at home as much as possible,” Prof Nabi said.
Professor Abul Barq Alvi congratulated the participants, urged them to pursue regular practice, and lauded the activities of the Safiuddin Ahmed Printmaking Studio.
Trainer of the workshop, Anisuzzaman Anis told UNB, “On the occasion of master artist Safiuddin Ahmed’s birth anniversary, the Safiuddin Shilpalay has previously organized a number of artistic initiatives. I have also been part of many workshops at different places, including Cosmos Atelier-71 of Gallery Cosmos. Recently, I visited Guanlan in China, and earlier in Japan, and I studied various aspects of woodcut art."
"Inspired by those experiences, I have guided 40 participants from across the country, who worked here from August 20 to 27; and I only demonstrated the techniques, but they blended their own creativity into the work, which deeply impressed me. I believe more such workshops should be held so that aspiring artists can truly benefit,” Professor Anis told UNB.
Coordinator of the workshop, artist Shakil Mazumder, told UNB, “In this workshop organized by Safiuddin Shilpalay marking the birth anniversary of master artist Safiuddin Ahmed, Professor Anis Sir taught us woodcut printmaking in a very friendly way. We worked for seven days, and on the last day we arranged the closing exhibition to demonstrate the 40 artworks of our 40 participants from Dhaka and other parts of the country, and the entire workshop was free of cost.”
Chair of the event and Safiuddin Shilpalay founder Ahmed Nazir Khokon thanked the esteemed dignitaries of art alongside Professor Anisuzzaman Anis and all participants before formally concluding the programme.
The event was also joined by Ekushey Padak-winning artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma, DU Faculty of Fine Art teachers Sheikh Mohammad Rokonuzzaman, Abdullah Al Bashir, Juton Chandra Roy, Asmita Alam Shammy, Mohammad Kamal Uddin, artist Shahanoor Mamun, and Gallery Cosmos Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury, among others.