Four emerging artists from different academic backgrounds have brought their distinct creative perspectives together in a group painting exhibition titled ‘QUATRAIN’, which opened at Zainul Gallery of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, on Friday, 9 October.
The exhibition features Nathan Pallob Mondol, Nabila Mahmud Kanak, Farahin Tanveen and Tamjida Mushfiq Prova, all from the 22nd batch of the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programme at Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology (SMUCT). Inaugurated at 5pm, the exhibition will remain open from 10 to 15 October, between 11am and 7pm daily, the university said in a press release.
What sets the four artists apart is their unconventional route into fine arts. None had a traditional fine arts educational background or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree before enrolling in the university’s two-year postgraduate programme.
Coming from four different academic disciplines, they developed individual artistic identities through postgraduate study, creative exploration and sustained practice.
Although their experiences, emotions, ideas and approaches to contemporary visual art differ, their works find common ground through a shared creative dialogue.
The exhibition explores how personal experiences and diverse educational backgrounds can shape distinctive artistic expressions while connecting different perspectives through visual art.
Ekushey Padak recipient Farida Zaman, an honorary professor and former chairperson of the Department of Drawing and Painting at the University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Fine Arts, inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest.
Shanto-Mariam University Vice-Chancellor Md Shah-E-Alam and University of Dhaka Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Azharul Islam Sheikh Chanchal attended as special guests.
Renowned painter Mostafizul Haque, an honorary professor at the University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Fine Arts and Chairman of Shanto-Mariam University’s Board of Trustees, attended as distinguished guest.
The programme was chaired by Md Amanullah, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Fine Arts at Shanto-Mariam University.
Pradip Kumar Nandi, Dean of the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts and Performing Arts, was also present alongside teachers, students and other guests from the country’s art and academic communities.
Through ‘QUATRAIN’, the four artists present the distinct artistic languages they have developed despite entering the field from disciplines outside conventional fine arts education.
Their collective presentation reflects how different experiences, emotions and creative approaches can converge in a common artistic space without losing their individual identities.
The exhibition also highlights the artists’ transition from their original academic disciplines into fine arts, celebrating their creative development through postgraduate education and artistic practice.
The participating artists have invited art enthusiasts, students, teachers, art professionals, collectors and visitors from all walks of life to attend the exhibition.
