5 ARTISTS NOT TO BE MISSED

Preema Andaleeb
Artist/Cultural Influencer/Entrepreneur

Women are the most crucial and integral entity of this universe. Women are our mothers, the earth, life, art, creators, leaders, and performers. They are designed in such manner that they are limitless. Therefore, to confine women in a box is to narrow the sphere of opportunity. We cannot create a world to thrive in without their empowerment and entity. Women might not be seen as they should be but they are always a part of our deep existence because our blood and veins are defined by women – our mothers. The world will be complete when women and men will work, engage and love each other. They are not an option. They are a necessity of being human. Otherwise, we are not one ‘whole’ but ‘half’. A society like ours still need to realize the high potential and capabilities of women. Do not take them for granted because when they express their voice, they become leaders; when they are visually vivid, they become artists; and when they fear, they become nightmares. Therefore we, as a nation and as the world, need to celebrate women. Women are the force of nature. They don’t make sounds, they don’t make any noise, and they don’t create havoc. They are silent in their own way. The way that they portray their deeper expression through their expression, subject and manifestation to narrate, mimic or memorize women power touching the surface.

I am presenting five of the strong voices of our time who are the strong artist influencers of our contemporary society: Soma Surovi Jannat, Sadya Mizan, Farzana Rahman Bobby, Farzana Ahmed Urmi and Tilottoma Proma. Their expression is art but their language is vast and vivid. They say different stories but they project the similar context. They are not women artists. They are artists who proudly tell their artistic journey. They might not say it but their works lead their vision to share to the society.  Art is not an entertainment, it is alive, hence its discourse is very contextual which creates a myth which is a belief. These artists are dedicated, passionate and interestingly curious and creative.

FARZANA AHMED URMI
Visual Artist

I encountered Royeka last year at the Rohingya Camp 18. She lives there with her 3 children, husband and his two brothers under one shelter. Her husband works at home because he cannot find much work outside. Rokeya does stitchwork for different organizations. She doesn’t like to stitch very much, but she has to do it for a living. That is because we decide what Rokeya will do or like. For that reason, even if she liked old jewelry, she had to part with them when crossing the border or she had to sell them for a living.

Through my paintings I try to fulfill Rokeya’s wish.

Right now, this is all I can do for Rokeya.

SADYA MIZAN
Independent Curator and Researcher

Artistic expressions must reflect the contemporary social realities harnessing a creative practice inclusive of diversity and accessibility.

FARZANA RAHMAN BOBBY
Visual Artist

Nature has been our keeper, protector, and mentor. Yet modern man has been waging a war against it. Our wanton destruction of natural habitats has given way to disease & destruction. Look at what our uncaring attitude has brought on – the invisible killer.

Life springs from the dark blue-grey of the cosmos morphing and multiplying, connecting through neural networks and spiraling tendrills.

TILOTTOMA BHOWMICK
Visual Artist

According to Tilottoma’s vision, “…… I am keen to observe the various forms and textures of this universe in a performative manner, also have an interest in anthropological history, mythologies, and philosophies from around the world.”

SOMA SUROVI JANNAT
Art Practitioner

As an Artist, I see myself as a bridge to connect different aspects in surrounding and reform them with an optimistic approach. I intend to develop a visual language which can help to create a space and dialogue for the viewer to perceive the presence and correlation of different elements across varies circumstances.

Interaction, collaboration, or social enagements are the main aspects of my working process. My body of works include Drawing, Painting, Installation, and Site-specific artworks. Abandoning the studio and working in an open space helps me to develop interaction and freely collaborate with  the locals which helps in developing a holistic understanding of reality. My experience and understanding regarding nature, the way of living of different communities, and their thoughts; all act as inspiration, resource, and medium of my works. The mental state and the state of the surroundings prevailing at the time when I am immersed in thinking about an artwork. This process creates its own values and makes its own demands. I sense and work within those specific values and demands and hope to create a sense of optimism which is fundamental to all my work.

These five artists are handpicked as their work speaks. In the contemporary art world they project their ideas through injecting the society their believe. Each of their techniques are different as painting, print, object representing various social, political, mythical and fundamental context. What does art do to us? As an artist myself, I believe, art gives us not to see only rather to say, not to say only rather to lead, not to lead only rather to make a statement. Art for me is a revolution as art holds history. It creates the social diplomacy and dialogue. Artists are merely the vehicle of art. They create the philosophy to understand the world and eternity. Art is immortal but not the artists. Art communicates massive discourse of humanity, civilization and transforms the universe into a better place to live in. Otherwise, how would we learn to be able to shape the chaos as there is havoc and war around us? We are at the fourth industrial revolution and this is the month of International Women’s day. What we achieve would one day be a myth but its documentation prevails, it projects the authenticity and reality. Bangladesh is a free, independent country, we are the country, we are this nation. When I say “we”, there can never be a division. We (women and men), all are equal.

Disclaimer:
All contents depicted in this article are subject to copyright and owned by Preema’s Atelier.