“Language 1” is an oil on canvas painting by Mohammad Iqbal. Witnessing the liberation war of Bangladesh as a child, he used his canvas to translate the sorrow, loss, grief, fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability of the war-child. The horror we face as a child comes back to us again and again and robs our innocence. They leave us with fear for a lifetime and pollutes our life with its gruesome memory. His painting is a cry for help. His painting asks us to reconsider our actions and think about how can we better this. The earthy tone and abstract background mirror the discrimination and abuse we encounter as a child and the fading face tells us how we let those hopes down for our selfish agendas.
Artist Profile
Mohammad Iqbal
Mohammad Iqbal is a visual artist who lives and works in Dhaka, Bangladesh. born In 1967 Chuadanga and living through the horrific days of liberation he uses his painting to convey the world around him. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree (1987) from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, he did his Masters’s degree (1989) from the same institute. He then went on to receive a Ph.D. in Fine Arts on Oil painting, from Tokyo University of the Arts, (Tokyo National University of Fine Arts & Music) Japan.
Language - 1
Language- 5
“Language of pain 5” is part of Mohammad Iqbal’s Ph. D research titled “ lost children of the world: the impact of the distress of life in my work”. Painted in soft colors he uses his painting as a language to convey the strong message of life. He tells us of the cruel reality of our surroundings and its horrifying impact on innocent souls. The dotted and gloomy background represents war, crime, destruction of the natural world, apartheid, xenophobia, religious grudge and a disappearing world. The children looking straight to your eyes with innocence lost in the war. They are tormented, powerless and conflict has taken away a life that was promised to them. They remind us what we have done to them, to this place. They question us with utter astonishment why have we chosen the path of aggression when all we ever need is love.
Artist Art Style
Mohammad Iqbal appeared in the Dhaka art scene in the 1990s with his strong philosophical themes and experimental paintings. He was recognised for his skilled drawings and impulsive spirit. He is mainly distinguished for his theme-based paintings. His canvases are engrossed with various visible and shadowy figures. The artist is most comfortable working on a large canvas, as his themes and compositions demand space. His work is elucidated by a powerful interplay of figures and space, helped by strong and sweeping brushstrokes.
