🌦️ Unit 2, Lesson 3: Art
A. Discuss the questions in pairs.
- What is art?
- Do you know any famous artist in Bangladesh? Who is s/he?
B. Read the following text and answer the tasks that follow.
Art is generally understood as an expression of human imagination and creative skills in a range of activities including painting, drawing, sculpture and architecture. The aim of art is to evoke feelings and emotions that are considered aesthetic – that is, concerned with beauty – but art also can be a form of social commentary. A painting of sunset over the sea glorifies nature, but one that shows a war ravaged town can convey a sense of anguish. Throughout the world people appreciate art for its power to affect them in creative ways. As the famous painter Pablo Picasso said, “the purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”
Art in our country has a long history. It has been practiced in households in the form of pottery, nakshikantha or embroidered quilt, alpana or intricate, mostly floral designs in rice paste done on clay yards and shokher hari or painted earthen pots (and their lids). These are examples of folk art. But there is another form of art which is called modern art, which owes its origin to the industrial revolution in Western Europe in the middle of 19th century and the changes it brought in technology, education, manufacturing and communication. Modern art rejected traditional art forms and began to create new types of artistic expression using styles, techniques, colours and materials that could adequately reflect the spirit of the time and the profound changes in human thought.
The beginning of modern art practices in our country date from 1948, when the great artist Zainul Abedin (1914–1976), with the help of some colleagues set up an institute of art in Dhaka (now the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka). As it began to offer art education, the institute drew together a number of talented teachers and students who continued to the development of modern art almost from scratch. But within a decade, artists were reflecting most recent trends and styles in their work – such as expressionism and abstract expressionism – while maintaining a close contact with the traditions of folk art.
Zainul had earned all-India fame for his Famine Sketches, a series of haunting sketches based on the Bengal famine of 1943 which took hundreds of thousands of lives. His watercolours, scroll paintings and drawings inspire our artists even today.
The other prominent artists who had major contributions to the spectacular rise of our contemporary art include Qamrul Hassan, SM Sultan, Safiuddin Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Qayyum Chowdhury, Murtaza Baseer, Aminul Islam, Syed Jahangir, Debdas Chakravarty, Novera Ahmed and Muhammad Kibria.
The war of liberation and the independence of the country in 1971 inspired our artists to continue the efforts of the earlier artists to explore the limits of art and create new expressive modes. For the next four decades, art in our country saw many experimentations. Artists dealt with new ideas such as installation art and graphic art, and reshaped older, traditional art forms. If you visit any art gallery or art exhibition, you will find how our art reflects our changing realities in fascinating and insightful ways.
1. Re-arrange the sentences to make a paragraph
- Such experimentations included installation art, graphic art and reshaping of older, traditional art forms.
- The beginning of modern art practices in our country date from 1948 with the setting up of an institute of art in Dhaka.
- The war of liberation and the independence of the country in 1971 inspired our artists to continue the efforts of the earlier artists.
- When the institute was set up, it drew together a number of talented teachers and students.
- During the Bengal famine of 1943 Zainul Abedin had earned all-India fame for his Famine Sketches.
- Besides his Famine Sketches, Zainul’s watercolours, scroll paintings and drawings also inspired many artists.
- Within the next four decades of our independence, art in our country saw many experimentations.
C. Now read the following text on SM Sultan and Novera Ahmed and answer the tasks that follow.
S M Sultan
Sheikh Mohammed Sultan, widely known as S M Sultan, was a distinguished Bangladeshi painter renowned for his distinctive personal and artistic style. Born on August 1923, in Jessore, Bangladesh, Sultan is often remembered as a bohemian artis who traveled extensively. Despite his unique vision, he only achieved widespread recognition later in life. His work was first showcased in Dhaka in 1976, and a significant retrospective organized by the Goethe Institute, Dhaka in 1987 solidified his status as a major artist.
Despite coming from an underprivileged background, S M Sultan made his mark in the art world through sheer passion and his ability to build enduring connections. Although his family could not afford his education at the Calcutta School of Arts, he received a special recommendation that allowed him to study there for three years.
His very simple but highly philosophic art, which features nature and the people of Bangladesh, has become the prime source of inspiration for the new generation of painters. Sultan’s characters were farmers, rural women, children, animals, and even pets. The main feature of his paintings is the muscular farmers with extensive muscles and godly physical stature which make his farmers larger than life. Sultan took little care of his finished works, and many are lost. He was unconcerned about using materials that would preserve. Sultan’s song was never about a legacy of artwork but of ideas.
Novera Ahmed
Novera Ahmed was the pioneer of modern sculpting in Bangladesh. She is also one of the most under- and misrepresented artists in the country. When describing the works of the first modern Bangladeshi sculptor Novera Ahmed, Shilpacharja Zainul Abedin proclaimed “What Novera is doing now will take us a long time to understand – she is that kind of artist.” This aptly describes her progressive thoughts in the field of sculpture.
Novera Ahmed was born in a culturally inclined family in Chittagong, where she was inspired by her mother’s skills in making dolls’ houses out of clay and became fascinated with working with three-dimensional forms. As Ahmed was educated in London and Florence, her sculptural vocabulary was based on a combination of western ideas and folk traditions. Many of her artefacts were based on village lives and folk motifs, of which she was a keen observer. She also incorporated Buddhist themes in her works, and developed an individual style that depicted the experiences of women.
In August 1960, Novera Ahmed had her first solo exhibition organised on the ground floor of Central Public Library (now Dhaka University Library). It was the first-ever solo sculpture exhibition by any sculptor of Bangladesh (East Pakistan back then). It was inaugurated by General Azam Khan of the Pakistan Army, who was so impressed with her work that he gave her a grant of $510,000$ to promote sculpture as an art form. She used cement, wood, plaster and stone for the material for her sculptures. In the early 1960s, upon the Pakistan Art Council's invitation, she moved to West Pakistan and produced many works there.
In 1962, she traveled to Bombay to learn Bharatanatyam, and a year later moved to Paris where she remained for the rest of her life. She lived in Thailand from 1968 to 1970 and had her second solo exhibition in Bangkok's Alliance Française in 1970. At that time she was using remains from plane crashes of American airplanes from the Vietnam War. Novera Ahmed was one of the original designers of the Shaheed Minar, in which she collaborated with Hamidur Rahman. She was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1997 in absentia, and an exhibition was arranged from her works left behind in Dhaka in April–May, 1998.
1. Summary Writing Task
Write a 100-word summary of the above text about Novera Ahmed. Please go through the following strategies of writing a summary before you begin the task.
Necessary Words and Phrases
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| sculpture (Noun) | IPA: /ˈskʌlp.tʃər/ Bengali: ভাস্কর্য; মূর্তি নির্মাণশিল্প Synonyms: carving, statue work, modelling |
The gallery displayed an impressive sculpture made from bronze. |
| architecture (Noun) | IPA: /ˈɑː.kɪ.tek.tʃər/ Bengali: স্থাপত্য; স্থাপত্যশিল্প Synonyms: building design, structural art, construction style |
The architecture of the ancient temple attracts thousands of visitors. |
| evoke (Verb) | IPA: /ɪˈvəʊk/ Bengali: উদ্রেক করা; মনে আনা Synonyms: arouse, inspire, bring forth, stir |
The artist’s painting aims to evoke a deep emotional response. |
| aesthetic (Adjective) | IPA: /iːsˈθet.ɪk/ Bengali: নান্দনিক; সৌন্দর্যবিষয়ক Synonyms: artistic, visually pleasing, tasteful |
The room’s aesthetic appeal lies in its simplicity and balance. |
| social commentary (Noun) | IPA: /ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˈkɒmən.tər.i/ Bengali: সামাজিক মন্তব্য; সমাজ নিয়ে সমালোচনামূলক দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি Synonyms: critique of society, cultural criticism |
The film serves as a powerful social commentary on modern inequality. |
| ravaged (Adjective) | IPA: /ˈræv.ɪdʒd/ Bengali: ধ্বংসপ্রাপ্ত; বিপর্যস্ত Synonyms: devastated, ruined, destroyed |
The cyclone left the coastal villages ravaged. |
| anguish (Noun) | IPA: /ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ Bengali: যন্ত্রণা; মানসিক কষ্ট Synonyms: agony, distress, torment |
The mother’s face was filled with anguish as she heard the news. |
| embroidered quilt (Noun) | IPA: /ɪmˈbrɔɪ.dəd kwɪlt/ Bengali: নকশিকাঁথা; সূচিকর্ম করা কম্বল Synonyms: stitched quilt, patterned blanket |
The embroidered quilt showcases traditional rural craftsmanship. |
| alpana (Noun) | IPA: /ˈælpəˌnɑː/ Bengali: আলপনা; চালের গুঁড়োর নকশা Synonyms: floor painting, ritual design |
She drew alpana designs on the courtyard during the festival. |
| intricate (Adjective) | IPA: /ˈɪn.trɪ.kət/ Bengali: জটিল; সূক্ষ্মভাবে বিস্তারিত Synonyms: detailed, elaborate, complex |
The artisan created an intricate pattern using rice paste. |
| owes (Verb) | IPA: /əʊz/ Bengali: ঋণী থাকা; কৃতজ্ঞ থাকা; উৎসারিত হওয়া Synonyms: is indebted to, derives from |
Modern art owes much to the technological shifts of the era. |
| set up (Phrasal Verb) | IPA: /ˌset ˈʌp/ Bengali: প্রতিষ্ঠা করা; স্থাপন করা Synonyms: establish, found, create |
They set up an art institute in Dhaka to promote creativity. |
| scratch (Noun/Idiom) | IPA: /skrætʃ/ Bengali: শূন্য থেকে; শুরু থেকে Synonyms: from nothing, from the beginning |
The artists developed new techniques almost from scratch. |
| expressionism (Noun) | IPA: /ɪkˈspreʃ.ən.ɪ.zəm/ Bengali: অভিব্যক্তিবাদ (একটি শিল্পধারা) Synonyms: emotional art movement, modernist style |
Expressionism focuses on intense emotions rather than realism. |
| folk art (Noun) | IPA: /fəʊk ɑːt/ Bengali: লোকশিল্প Synonyms: traditional art, indigenous art |
Folk art reflects the everyday life and culture of ordinary people. |
| Famine Sketches (Noun) | IPA: /ˈfæm.ɪn ˌsketʃɪz/ Bengali: দুর্ভিক্ষের স্কেচসমূহ Synonyms: famine drawings, documentary sketches |
Zainul Abedin’s Famine Sketches depict the suffering of 1943. |
| haunting sketches (Noun) | IPA: /ˈhɔːn.tɪŋ ˈsketʃɪz/ Bengali: মনকাড়া; হৃদয়ে লেগে থাকা স্কেচ Synonyms: evocative drawings, unforgettable sketches |
The haunting sketches create a powerful emotional impact. |
| scroll paintings (Noun) | IPA: /skrəʊl ˈpeɪntɪŋz/ Bengali: পটচিত্র; স্ক্রল চিত্রকলা Synonyms: scroll art, narrative paintings |
Scroll paintings often illustrate mythological or folk stories. |
| contemporary art (Noun) | IPA: /kənˈtem.pər.ər.i ɑːt/ Bengali: সমকালীন শিল্প Synonyms: modern-day art, present-era art |
Contemporary art explores new mediums and conceptual ideas. |
| distinguished (Adjective) | IPA: /dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃt/ Bengali: বিশিষ্ট; সম্মানিত Synonyms: eminent, notable, renowned |
He is a distinguished painter admired worldwide. |
| distinctive (Adjective) | IPA: /dɪˈstɪŋk.tɪv/ Bengali: স্বতন্ত্র; বৈশিষ্ট্যপূর্ণ Synonyms: unique, characteristic, individual |
Her distinctive style makes her artwork easily recognizable. |
| bohemian artist (Noun) | IPA: /bəʊˈhiː.mi.ən ˈɑː.tɪst/ Bengali: বোহেমিয়ান শিল্পী Synonyms: unconventional artist, free-spirited creator |
He lived like a bohemian artist, moving freely from place to place. |
| showcased (Verb) | IPA: /ˈʃəʊ.keɪst/ Bengali: প্রদর্শিত; তুলে ধরা Synonyms: exhibited, displayed, presented |
His paintings were first showcased in Dhaka in 1976. |
| retrospective (Noun) | IPA: /ˌret.rəˈspek.tɪv/ Bengali: রেট্রোস্পেকটিভ; অতীত কাজের প্রদর্শনী Synonyms: past-works exhibition, archival show |
The retrospective highlighted the evolution of his artistic journey. |
| Goethe Institute (Proper Noun) | IPA: /ˈɡɜː.tə ˈɪn.stɪ.tjuːt/ Bengali: গ্যোথে ইনস্টিটিউট Synonyms: German cultural institute |
The Goethe Institute organized a major exhibition of his works. |
| solidified (Verb) | IPA: /səˈlɪd.ɪ.faɪd/ Bengali: দৃঢ় করা; প্রতিষ্ঠিত করা Synonyms: confirmed, strengthened, established |
The exhibition solidified his status as a leading artist. |
| sheer passion (Noun) | IPA: /ʃɪər ˈpæʃ.ən/ Bengali: নিখাদ আবেগ; খাঁটি উৎসাহ Synonyms: pure enthusiasm, intense dedication |
He succeeded through sheer passion and devotion. |
| recommendation (Noun) | IPA: /ˌrek.ə.menˈdeɪ.ʃən/ Bengali: সুপারিশ; পরামর্শ Synonyms: endorsement, referral, approval |
He got admission through a special recommendation. |
| legacy (Noun) | IPA: /ˈleɡ.ə.si/ Bengali: উত্তরাধিকার; স্থায়ী প্রভাব Synonyms: heritage, inheritance, lasting contribution |
His legacy lives on through his profound ideas. |
| pioneer (Noun) | IPA: /ˌpaɪ.əˈnɪər/ Bengali: পথিকৃৎ; অগ্রদূত Synonyms: trailblazer, forerunner, initiator |
Novera Ahmed is regarded as a pioneer of modern sculpting in Bangladesh. |
| proclaimed (Verb) | IPA: /prəˈkleɪmd/ Bengali: ঘোষণা করা; আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে বলা Synonyms: declared, announced, stated |
The critic proclaimed that her artistic vision was ahead of its time. |
| aptly (Adverb) | IPA: /ˈæpt.li/ Bengali: যথাযথভাবে; উপযুক্তভাবে Synonyms: suitably, appropriately, fittingly |
The title aptly reflects the theme of the exhibition. |
| inclined (Adjective) | IPA: /ɪnˈklaɪnd/ Bengali: প্রবণ; ঝোঁকযুক্ত Synonyms: disposed, tending, prone |
She came from a culturally inclined family that valued the arts. |
| artefacts (Noun) | IPA: /ˈɑː.tɪ.fækts/ Bengali: নিদর্শন; শিল্পকর্ম Synonyms: objects, relics, creations |
The museum preserves many artefacts representing rural life. |
| inaugurated (Verb) | IPA: /ɪˈnɔː.ɡjʊ.reɪ.tɪd/ Bengali: উদ্বোধন করা Synonyms: opened, launched, commenced |
The gallery was inaugurated by a renowned artist. |
| Bharatanatyam (Noun) | IPA: /ˌbʌr.ə.təˈnʌt.i.əm/ Bengali: ভরতনাট্যম (দক্ষিণ ভারতীয় শাস্ত্রীয় নৃত্য) Synonyms: classical Indian dance, South Indian dance |
She traveled to India to train in Bharatanatyam. |
| Française (Noun/Adjective) | IPA: /frɑ̃ːˈsɛz/ Bengali: ফ্রঁসেজ; ফরাসি সাংস্কৃতিক প্রতিষ্ঠানের নাম (Alliance Française) Synonyms: French, relating to France |
The exhibition was held at the Alliance Française in Bangkok. |
| absentia (Noun) | IPA: /æbˈsɛn.ʃə/ Bengali: অনুপস্থিত অবস্থায় Synonyms: in absence, while absent |
She received the award in absentia because she was abroad. |
1. Multiple Choice Questions
- What is the primary aim of art according to the passage?
- To preserve historical events accurately.
- To teach scientific principles through visuals.
- To promote industrial development.
- To evoke feelings and emotions considered aesthetic.
- What does a painting of a war-ravaged town primarily convey?
- A sense of peace and unity.
- Humor and satire.
- A sense of anguish.
- Technological advancement.
- Which items mentioned in the passage are examples of folk art?
- Pottery, nakshikantha, alpana, and shokher hari.
- Oil paintings, digital prints, and murals.
- Stone sculptures and metal carvings.
- Portraits and miniature paintings.
- What major change influenced the rise of modern art in Western Europe?
- Expansion of colonial empires.
- The industrial revolution and resulting societal changes.
- The invention of photography.
- The rise of classical music.
- What helped establish the foundation of modern art practices in Bangladesh?
- The rise of commercial art galleries in Dhaka.
- The publication of art magazines by local artists.
- The establishment of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
- The establishment of an art institute by Zainul Abedin in 1948.
- What made S M Sultan’s paintings unique according to the passage?
- His use of bright, ornamental patterns.
- His large collection of digital artworks.
- His portrayal of muscular farmers with godlike physical stature.
- His focus on architectural structures.
- How did S M Sultan gain the opportunity to study at the Calcutta School of Arts?
- He won a national painting competition.
- He inherited financial support from his family.
- He received a special recommendation despite being underprivileged.
- He was sponsored by the Goethe Institute.
- What inspired Novera Ahmed to develop an interest in three-dimensional art?
- Her formal training in Bharatanatyam.
- Her mother’s skill in making clay dolls’ houses.
- Her travels across West Pakistan.
- Her collaboration with Hamidur Rahman.
- Why was Novera Ahmed awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1997 in absentia?
- She was ill and unable to attend the ceremony.
- She was attending an exhibition in Dhaka.
- She had been living abroad since moving to Paris.
- She was traveling to Thailand for a performance.