|
Stalking Emptiness
Author / Source: Katerina Don, Friday, 28 October 2011
“People always want more and more. And when they are unsatisfied, they carry sadness with them. I want to be
different, and to be the best at what I do”.
Different he is, and undeniably one of the best. This young sculptor is taking the imagination of artoholics hostage
with his intelligent, detailed works. Two birds rest on his head as Lilly pads stem from his neck, his face morphing
into the mossy ground. His eyes, vigilant, stare up at the changing sky. Time flees as he is unmoved, consumed by
nature. He is Ashim Halder, known as Sagor.
The above mentioned sculpture, Existence in Nature, can be seen at Interior Depot Gallery in Gulshan 1. Sagor is
quickly becoming a favorite amongst collectors in Bangladesh and abroad. He is famed for using his portrait in his
works, which has become his signature style. But he is by no means confined by it. “I have so many roles, so many
characters. At home I am the son, at university I am a student, at work I am someone else. But they are all unique
these characters. And they are all a part of me”.
In many of his works Sagor is examining himself, molding his portrait - the stoic expression, eyes looking straight
ahead, generous lips relaxed, there is a sharpness to his features that speaks of discipline and direct inspiration. “I
follow the maxim Know Thyself. What do you have to identify you, if not your name? Your face. Everything I have
to say, all my thoughts, political views, dreams, they all come through me. I say them through myself. And in the
end everything we do, we do for ourselves”
It is the evening before the opening of a workshop in the Faculty of Fine Art titled ‘Contemporary and New Trends
in Art’. The overgrown campus is bustling with activity in preparation for the event. Several students are carefully
working on an installation by the front entrance, laying out an alapna of black and white passport photographs of
missing people. The face of an ascetic young man with piercing eyes, the artist Sabyasachi Hazra, haunts the whole
piece as it swirls into the center escalating into a mountain of photographs. A bathtub half filled with water stands
on the lawn.
The shadows of surrealism grow thick around Charukola in the eve. Between the Maghrib and the Isha prayers,
Sagor who is also the main organizer of the workshop, talks about the dreams and concepts that give life to his
works.
He is not confined by a medium, his talent versatile and subtle. Apart from being a ceramics artist and a pioneer of
the Japanese raku style in Bangladesh, he is a performer, film maker, and a gifted web designer. One critic noted
that the young artist is equipped with the "right ammunition". The choice of words being very appropriate as
weapons, especially guns and grenades, are a common motif in his work.
"This tea pot is filled with meaning", Sagor explains the piece Modernism - taste full, post-modern, infused with
British humor. It is your classic stout teapot crossbred with the infamous revolver. A gun barrel for a spout, a gun
grip for a handle. This piece is an allegory - good morning shot down. "The teapot symbolizes the good feelings that
you have in the morning. Before you pick up the newspaper, full of bad news and your morning becomes a crisis".
The choice of medium is ironic - heavyweight weaponry transformed into fragile, delicate ceramics, weapons of
destruction remodeled into instruments of inspiration. "I want to reinvent these objects that bring fear into our lives.
By reconstructing them I am giving them new meaning, transforming the threat into beauty".
Sagor is a force of his own. He graduated First-class First in BFA from the Faculty of Fine Arts and is now completing
his masters with the same honors. He is working his way onto the stage with such respected artists as Alok Roy and
Mohammad Fokhrul Islam, who challenged the notion that ceramics is confined to utilitarian objects. Sagor is a
powerful combination of avant-garde, surrealism, and classic form. His bird grenades are like mythical creatures of
the modern "Age of Emergency". Like the Sphinx, they are mesmerizing, threatening, and juxtaposed.
Sagor, born and raised in riverine Barisal, was the youngest Bangladeshi artist at the 14th Asian Art Biennale where
he presented an installation with his short film The Dhopa - the chronicle of the traditional cloth washers of the
Buriganga, tradition faced with pollution. His point of view as a director is unobtrusive, he does not barge into the
situation. He is almost invisible, camouflaged like in his sculpture Existence in Nature. But his perspective is clear and
bold and very humane in its simplicity. His love for flowers and birds attests for that much.
"I think that the crime is always at the root. The outcome is polluted because the root is polluted". Many of his works
are political, they are a social satire on greed, corruption, diplomacy and desire. One of the most intimate works is
"The Secret Talk". Two spheres nested near each other. Out of one protrude pouted lips frozen in the middle of a
sentence. Out the second sphere an alert ear. An unheard secret binds them.
Ashim Halder Sagor is a name, and most importantly a face, to be remembered. "Basically this is my journey with
art. I am always thinking about what will remain when I vanish from the face of this earth?"
Link: http://theindependentbd.com/weekly-independent/77455-stalking-emptiness.html
http://www.theindependentdigital.com/index.php?opt=view&page=52&date=2011-10-28
http://www.theindependentdigital.com/index.php?opt=view&page=53&date=2011-10-28
http://bangladeshaholic.blogspot.com/2011/11/stalking-emptiness-look-at-hypnotic.html
Opening invitation of a Lifestyle Gallery INTERIOR DEPOT on 19th August 2011, Gulshan, Bangladesh.
Text in Stylewatch August Issue, 2011
 
Links: The Daily Ittefaq on 20 August 2011
http://new.ittefaq.com.bd/news/view/36733/2011-08-20/25
Friday, July 8, 2011
An attempt to see contemporary art as artifact
 
“ Existence in Nature” (left) and “Conversation”
A solo Raku exhibition, titled “Contemporary Artefacts”, is on at the Zainul Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), University of
Dhaka. The exhibition features works of artist Ashim Halder Sagor. This is Sagor's 2nd solo Raku exhibition. Art connoisseur
and secretary,Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mijarul Quayes inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest on July 5. Dean of FFA,
Professor EHM Matlub Ali and artist Mahbubur Rahman were present as special guests at the opening.
'Raku' (meaning delighted or joyful), a traditional Japanese art form, has its roots in ceramics. The technique used in Raku
entails burning white clay in a low temperature with sawdust and dry leaves, followed by instantly cooling it in water so that a
carbon texture is formed over the surface. Aside from everyday use, Raku has become popular for its aesthetic value in both
East and West. In his impassioned artistic quest, Ashim wants to express life and time -- life that is contemporary and time
that is galloping. His art aspires to be considered as 'artefact'. Ashim is curious about deconstructing traditional art forms
through which he would like to master the trends of contemporary art.
“Catharsis”, “Conversation”, “Desire”, “Existence in Nature”, “Metamorphic and Physical Existence 1” and “2”, “Inside of
Nature 1” and “2”, “Playing with Nature”, “Nostalgia”, “Me & My Myth 1” and “5”, “Relation in Form 1” and “2”, “Urbanity” and
a few untitled works by the artist are on display at the exhibition. Interestingly enough, Ashim has used himself as the model
for several of his works. In his childhood, Ashim used to catch birds. To a child it didn't seem cruel but his conscience now
haunts him. Juxtaposition of two faces, represented in “Catharsis”, is an attempt to express that dilemma.
“Conversation” features two hands, one with a mouth and the other with an ear. Ashim keenly observed two fellow students
at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, communicating through hand gestures, which seems to have provided the inspiration.
Several outstanding sculptures (human head) by the artist imagine the dissimilarity of human instincts. A few of the works
zoom in on the balance in nature that is about to crumble thanks to human greed. The artist has portrayed urban jungles,
and at the same time urged to sustain co-existence in nature. “Me & My Myth 1” and “5” give shape to the artist's
imaginative world and nostalgia.
Ashim stood first, securing first class, in his BFA (Honours) from the Department of Ceramics, FFA, DU in 2009 and is doing
his MFA at the same institute.
The exhibition is open to all from 10am to 8pm every day and will end on July 12.
Zahangir Alom
Link: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=193266
Ceramic Exhibition at Zainul Gallery
A solo ceramic exhibition titled Shomokalin Protnochihno took place at Zainul Gallery-1 of Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts
(FFA) from 5 July to 10 July. The artist, Ashim Haldar Sagar, is a postgraduate student at the Department of Ceramic in FFA.
A brilliant potter who believes in the modernisation of art, Ashim has stretched the boundaries of traditional rules in his
artworks. It was his second solo ceramic exhibition. In his creations for the six-day exhibition, Ashim followed the Raku
method. Raku is a Japanese traditional ceramic glaze method which has recently become popular among both the Eastern and
the Western artists. The exhibition was inaugurated by Honourable Foreign Secretary Mohammad Mijarul quayes, who was
also the chief guest in the event. Artist Mahbubur Rahman and Professor Md Matlab Ali, dean of FFA were present as special
guests. The programme was presided over by Robiul Islam, chairman of the Department of Ceramic, FFA
Link: http://www.daily-sun.com/?view=details&archiev=yes&arch_date=15-07-2011&type=daily-sun-news&pub_
no=277&cat_id=5&menu_id=30&news_type_id=1&index=14
Ashim Sagor’s ‘Contemporary Artifacts’ at Charukala
 
Ashim Halder Sagor is now an MA student of ceramics department of Dhaka University’s Fine Art Faculty. But his masterly
presented artworks under the title of ‘Contemporary Artifacts’ draw the attention of visitors at the faculty’s Zainul Gallery in
city.
Sagor has displayed 41 art pieces upholding the existing socio-economic and environmental condition of Dhaka city. He has
also presented his own state of mind regarding the various aspects of society.The artist has followed the Japanese technique
of ‘raku’ in producing his conceptual works. Using the method, Sagor has got an uneven surface of his ceramic products.
Sagor’s ‘Existence in Nature’ shows a human head with a couple of birds and a bunch of mosses, representing the trees.
Through the co-existence of these natural elements the artist has tried to uphold the message of preserving biodiversity
across the world, especially in Dhaka city. The ceramic work ‘Urbanity’ shows the birds nestling in the holes of a building. ‘I
have symbolically showed the birds in place of human beings, who live in small place in congestion,’ Sagor told
Banglanews24.com when he described the artwork.
He has used the arch shape symbolising Dhaka city in building the nests of the birds. In his ‘Desire’, the artist presents two
human faces setting oppositely in front of a mirror. ‘We believe mirror tells us truth. I can not only see my face when I stand
in front of a mirror, I can also see my inner world,’ the artist commented. Sagor has widely used his own face in presenting
the human existence on the earth. He has also used the face in criticising the social odds.
The artist, in his exhibition, has pointed to the gradually vanishing greenery in the city. ‘I was born and brought up in village
and I had passed my early age in greenery. But in Dhaka, I see jungles of apartments, see little greenery. In most of my
artworks I have presented my anguish for the lack of biodiversity in the city,’ Sagor lamented.
The eight-day exhibition, inaugurated by foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes, will remain open from 10:00am to 8:30pm till July 12.
BDST 2112 hrs, July 7, 2011
Link:
 
Link: http://www.esamakal.net/index.php?opt=view&page=35&date=2011-07-05
DHAKA | Thursday | 07 July 2011 | 23 Asharh 1418 BS | 04 shaban 1432 HIJRI
Contemporary Artifacts
Perception of an inspiring ceramic artist
by Aziz Amirul
A solo ceramic sculptural art exhibition, done through raku, titled Contemporary Artifacts, by artist Ashim Halder Sagor is being
held at the Zainul Gallery-1 in the Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University in the city. It was inaugurated on 5 July by the
Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a fine art connoisseur, Mijarul Quayes.
Raku is a pottery technique which originated in the 16th century in Japan. The procedure often goes much deeper into its
philosophy, roots, and cultural significance. Traditional Japanese raku and the western version of raku are similar in many
ways, though there are some notable differences. Raku involves burning of China white clay at a low temperature with sawdust
and dry leaves, which is followed by cooling in water to help form a carbon texture over the lightly cracked-up surface.
Following in the footsteps of well-known ceramic artists Alok Roy and Mohammad Fokhrul Islam, talented and thought-
provoking artist, Ashim Halder has certainly come a long way to reach his current position of substantial experience and
repute. The works which presentconjoined facial structures and limbs reflect the inner psyche of the human mind. The two
facial parts are in fact of the same person that reveals one’s subconscious personality. The search of artist Ashim to discover
the ultimate goal of life and humanity seems to be unending as he relentlessly continues to strive hard in this sophisticated
technique of raku. Artist Ashim includes the themes of human passion, endeavor, emotion and agony in his works. These
concepts seem to break a certain boundary of orthodox socio-political structure and reach out for the infinite space, free from
the barriers of time and dimension.
As artist and critic Mustafa Zaman feels, Ashim Halder, among the handful ceramic artists of our country, is seeking to dodge
the academic strictures to give shape to full-blown sculptural concepts. His works contain the trendy touch of artistry shown
previously by renowned artists like Shishir Bhattacharya, Mahbubur Rahman and Feroz Mahmud. Ashim’s unconventional
attitude and approach in his conceptual works of art seemingly makes a point to stick to the ancient Japanese method of raku.
One has to understand that the corporeal metaphors in the works of the artist, which both restrict and liberate the works, lead
the viewers towards a conflicting pathway.
“As a beginner, artist Ashim Halder Sagor seems well-equipped with all the necessary ammunition one needs to make a
headway; it is now the responsibility and duty of the artist himself to construct and preserve the politically-charged and
aesthetically futuristic pieces so as to make them result in the fruitful generation of artworks with staying power”, said artist
Mustafa.
Ashim Halder completed his BFA in Ceramics from the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka in 2009 with outstanding results,
and is currently studying MFA in Ceramics in the same institution. The artist has participated in numerous workshops and
exhibitions in Bangladesh, Nepal and Canada. His first solo exhibition was held at the Zainul Gallery last year, which was a
great crowd-puller.
The current exhibition is open from 10am to 8pm every day till 10 July
Link: http://www.daily-sun.com/?view=details&archiev=yes&arch_date=07-07-2011&type=another-bjaks-leader-killed&
pub_no=269&cat_id=1&menu_id=7&news_type_id=1&index=1
http://www.daily-sun.com/epaper/pop_up.php?archiev=yes&arch_date=07-07-2011&img_name=2011/07/07/newspaper
/images/10_100.jpg
Philology of Time
Solo Raku exhibition by Ashim Halder 'Sagor'
“Beautification” (left) and “Belong with Memory” by Ashim Halder
Zahangir Alom
............................................. A weeklong solo Raku exhibition titled “Philology of Time” ended recently at the Zainul Gallery-1, Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA),
Dhaka University. The exhibition featured works of young emerging artist Ashim Halder Sagor. Inauguration of the exhibition
was presided over by noted artist Swapan Kumar Sikder. Eminent artist Samarjit Roy Chowdhury was the chief guest, while
renowned art critic Moinuddin Khaled; chairman of the Department of Oriental Art, FFA, Professor Abdus Satter and artist
Shahid Kabir were present as special guests at the inaugural ceremony. 'Raku' (meaning delighted or joyful), a traditional Japanese art form, has its roots in ceramics. The technique used in Raku is
burning China white clay in a low temperature with sawdust and dry leaves, followed by instantly cooling it in cold water so that
a carbon texture is formed over the surface. Aside from everyday use, Raku has become popular for its aesthetic value in
both East and West. “Belong with Memory,” “Beautification,” “I am the Old King 1” and “2”, “Viewing Everything,” “Living with
Threat,” “Symbol of Youth,” “Crime in the Name of God,” “Expression of Time,” “Modernism,” “Growing Up,” “Peace Prop,”
“Secret Talk” and a few untitled works by the artist were on display at the exhibition. Interestingly enough, Halder uses his
portrait along with many parts of his own anatomy, including hands, eyes and lips in almost all of works and
thereby adds a new dimension. “Belong with Memory” envisages the artist's childhood. The piece depicts a meeting of the artist's childhood memories on the
edge of his skull. “Beautification” zooms in on a balanced ecology that is about to crumble thanks to the misguided activities of
the greedy around us. The work reminds one of Michael Jackson's “Earth Song”. "Viewing everything" demonstrates the third
eye, featuring our never-ending helplessness at the clutches of authoritative power. “Living with Threat”, where the artist's self
portrait is hidden, depicts a world map adorned with pistols, illustrating vulnerability while “Secret Talk “1” and “2” exquisitely
reveal the evil plans of social bigwigs. “Peace Prop” -- showing three pistols forming a peace memorial -- is a satirical work by
the artist that may generate an oxymoronic image in the minds of art connoisseurs as the title of the artwork suggests. “Me
& My Myth 1” and “2” transport the artist's imaginative world into the chasm of time. Halder tries to capture the philology of time through his artworks. “My first solo Raku exhibition is also the first display of this
art form in Bangladesh. This exhibition is an outcome of my participation in two workshops conducted by the internationally
famed Bangladeshi artist Mahbubur Rahman, coordinator of Britto Arts Trust, and American artist Ramon Camarillo
respectively in 2008 and in 2009,” says Halder. Halder was placed first, securing first class in his BFA (Honours) from the
Department of Ceramics, FFA, DU in 2009 and is doing his MFA from the same institute. http://www.newagebd.com/2010/jul/13/time.html
  
Link: http://www.eprothomalo.com/index.php?opt=view&page=1&date=2010-04-20
|
