Wakilur Rahman: Exploring curiosity for space and time

Contemporary art gallery Shilpangan is hosting an exhibition of a total of 37 artworks by the renowned artist Wakilur Rahman, who has experimented with materials and ideas, which created an opportunity for him to explore the notion of contemporary time and space on canvas. Most of the works on display highlight the black and white shades symbolically, depicting diverse aspects of life and creating unique ways of perceiving. 

Beginning on February 9, the exhibition will be open for all till February 22. 

TBS picks 

Among the displayed works, TBS picks three artworks that stand out.

Space specific 1-5

Space specific 1-5. Photo: Collected

The 30x21cm wood cut series was done in 2019. The space specific works signify the artist's curiosity towards an object of separation that seemingly denotes a longing. The subtracted white space in the surface represents the emptiness of life. The white also serves as a ground for creation, seen or unseen elements, which generate its own entity.

Wakilur Rahman shared, "There is emptiness everywhere in life, and I have tried to articulate that emptiness through the series. It was done in 2019, and I think many people will be able to connect with that emptiness present in our life in recent times."

Untitled 1-3

Untitled 1-3. Photo: Collected

The series painting over print is square windows of linear overlapping onto the print based interface. This series was done in 2009. The painted blocks of pigments are a representation of experimentation hoping to find the transparency of life through canvas.

Talking about the works, Wakilur Rahman pointed out that such works are his way of sharing realism with a sense of placement. "These works evoke my sentiment towards time," he added.

Stairs 2

Stairs 2. Photo: Collected

Vertical lines, apparently creating ladders, represent the mysterious canvas. Dark colours, mysterious lines, pigmented lights, are the dominating features of the work. Wakilur Rahman has tried to depict certain moods on his 48x78cm etching-aquatint print, which was done in 1998 by the artist. This artwork will certainly draw the attention of the visitors due to its visual mystery.