Shahanoor ‘stories’ in watercolour

Artist Shahanoor Mamun's "Stories" at Gallery Kaya is teeming with images of nature. Eminent artist Chandra Shekhar De unveiled the exhibition on November 22, which will run its course till December 7. 

Shahanoor, whose forte lies in watercolour, presented an array of subject matters, depicting some in a realistic manner, while with others he kept his eye focused on the impression various different scenes at any particular moment of the day appear to the human eye. 

Whichever strain of representation id followed by the artist, "water" seems to assume a dominant presence throughout the exhibition. 

From rain to storm, riverscape to rain-drenched city, scenes of daybreak to images representing nocturnal mystery – the artist seems to have framed his stories, or works, in relation to water. 

Shahnoor's artistic acumen has also been conceived through different quality of wash and tonal achievements. In "Veil of Nature" he seems particularly subtle, as with "Emerging Morning". In both of the works impression of reality is captured showing a decisive mastery over wash and colour. "Riverbank", a work that depicts a boat ready to unload the passengers, is done in the same vein.

Takir Hossain, who penned a preface for the catalogue, referred to this technique used to capture the subtlest impression of nature and the play of light on landscape as "mystifying". Whichever way we choose to describe them, the gems through which one is able to understand the artistic strength of this young watercolourist, were many.

Works that refers to the bustling Old Dhaka and its myriad bazars and ghats applies the craft full throttle. Bank of the River Buriganga, Shakharibazar also emerge in all their daily hubbubs in some of the works. "Village Market" seems particularly telling in capturing the life in public space in its slightly expressionistic rendition.

A workaholic, the artist has been trying out many different themes, worked through many different techniques and manners. This exhibition seems to bring the entire array under one roof, much to the excitement of the gallery goers.