The Art of Triumph: Documenting art, truth and history

A phoenix bursting through a man's chest, a salute to the remittance army, a question thrown at the authorities— "Where do you find the conscience to act this way?"; a woman's portrait locking eyes with you, with just the word— 'mother' marked in tiny letters all over the portrait, demanding justice for her child's death. 

As you flip through the pages of 'The Art of Triumph', you can't help but pause, letting your gaze linger. These pages are more than just photographs of the walls of Dhaka, Chattogram, and across Bangladesh—they hold more than art; they carry the nation's recent history. And history must be documented truthfully so that future generations understand how events truly unfolded.

This is why the recently released 'Art of Triumph' is more than just a book documenting graffiti and art drawn during the July Uprising; it is history locked in pages, an experience, a memory to relive for years to come.

The graffiti is loud, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore—it speaks beyond traditional expression. Since the July Uprising, the walls of the country have held more truth than ever before.  

Each page of the book features a photo or multiple photos of the graffiti, with its literal translation in italics on the right and a description on the left. Some pages also include a QR code for a more digital and immersive experience.

Shayaan Seraj, director of Elite Group of Industries and one of the co-producers of Art of Triumph, takes pride in how the book goes beyond static imagery. "Seeing a powerful image is one thing, but experiencing it dynamically is another," he said.  

One of the book's standout features is its use of augmented reality, allowing the graffiti to come alive.

"For instance, we included actual footage from the moment Abu Sayeed was shot at, pulling readers into the reality behind the art," he shared.  

Among his personal favourites is a striking mural—a soul rising through a phoenix above a body lying on a tank. "We took that image and brought it into 3D, making the phoenix soar," he explained.  

With augmented reality, artwork isn't just something to be seen; it turns the viewer into a participant, immersing them in the story beyond the page.

The book was created with the help of cartoonist Morshed Mishu and co-produced by Anis Zaman, Tajrina Mannan, Shayaan Seraj, and Tawfiq Bari, with contributions from Sarwar Jahan and Alif Imtiaz.

"This book wouldn't have been possible without the entire team's effort—we worked day and night, pouring our ideas into every detail," shared co-producer Tajrina Mannan. 

"Dr Yunus himself chose the cover photo, believing it needed to be striking, and the final result was nothing short of perfect," she added.  

The book is available on the 'Rokomari' website for Tk3500 and is copyrighted by the Shaheed Smriti Foundation.

"All earnings will go to the families of the students who fought in the July Uprising. Preserving history was just as important as supporting those who lived it," she further explained. 

The book is loud and imposing, much like the graffiti it showcases—designed to grab your attention and pull you into the details that go beyond just words and images. It doesn't just tell the story of history being made; it backs it up with evidence.

Abrar Fahad's mural features a QR code that leads to the Facebook post that cost him his life in 2019 when ruthless murderers masked under the banner of "student politicians" silenced his freedom of speech. Many quotes in the book draw inspiration from Kazi Nazrul Islam, with QR codes linking to his songs on YouTube for better understanding.

"This book is a time capsule, a reminder of what young people can achieve when they refuse to be silent. Art of Triumph is just the beginning—we hope it inspires artists, activists, and changemakers to create and stand for something bigger than themselves," Seraj concluded.