Monon Khonon: A journey of gentle exploration

In the dimly lit space of Bengal Shilpalay, a deconstructed boat greets visitors—its fragments, seemingly shaped like a rib cage, cast watery shadows beneath. Letters of the Bangla alphabet drift among the wreckage, inviting contemplation. 

Veteran artist Wakilur Rahman's 'Monon Khonon,' which resumed in September after a pause in July due to the countrywide unrest, runs until the 20th. The boat, Rahman believes, mirrors the human body, and the exhibition's serene atmosphere draws on cultural symbols to stir early childhood memories, offering viewers a sense of calm.

The concept behind this exhibition was to ask viewers to question themselves and to create a meditative environment where they can reflect on the artworks. The elements used to design this installation were kept simple yet profound: clay, boats, and language.
 
"The exhibition centres around one theme, with the space designed to focus solely on the objects. The dark, matte walls and floor create the feel of a clay house. The letters here don't carry specific meanings—they're just sounds, phonetics," the artist explained.

'Monon Khonon' represents the delicate process of uncovering hidden layers of beauty or deep emotions, much like an artisan carefully unearthing a precious gem. It's a journey of gentle exploration, revealing something that touches the heart and soul.

"I'm not an anthropologist or social scientist; I'm an artist. My work is driven by artistic reasoning. There are many boats, but I chose this one to represent the human body—how it stands, how it lies down. This body endures immense suffering, and through this form, I aim to expose what lies within," Rahman added.

The process of assembling the installation elements took months and the artist took every step very cautiously as he previously visited the art gallery multiple times for other exhibitions and he knew this was the space he needed, but modified.

The space was adapted to suit the art, with the walls painted grey to create a darker mood. Minimal lighting enhances the impact, as carefully directed beams highlight the visual pieces, turning light into the focal point in this delicate balance of shadow and form. 

Rahman is believed to be a minimalistic person and he keeps his art plain, direct, and perceptive. He took inspiration from Bauls who only sing using one-string, and he believes the visual art he has compiled will take viewers on a journey within themselves and question their way of life. 

Before concluding our conversation, Rahman quotes Rumi— "Anything excess is poison,"— perhaps as an attempt to define his thought process for this exhibition, and what he wants to render through his visual arts.