Bangladesh Artist's Solo Exhibition in Sydney - Ottoman and Moghul architecture featured
VognoDuut750
Fida's unique and eccentric world
Fayza Haq
Fida Haq, a Sydney-based artist, who is having his solo exhibition 'Of
Angels and Chariots' at the Bengal Gallery, makes strong statements about
world issues, such as the relationship between men and women and politics.
He says, "No artist can just keep producing flowers and landscapes when
there is so much turmoil around us. I always get quite involved in what is
going on (in the world) and try to interpret it. I have to say these things
(with my art) or I'd go insane." He has an unusual way of presenting his
message to the masses, using recycled items like aluminum cans, nails, wires
and old things picked up from garage sales.
"The basis of my work is definitely the rich tradition of rickshaw art
in Bangladesh in both the traditions of narrative and decorative. The work
done with recycled materials are directly related to the decorative genre of
rickshaw art which is also related to the geometrical patterns that you find
in Islamic art, specially on Islamic ceramic tiles. As one can see, I've
become a compulsive scavenger. I cut the top and bottom and straighten the
aluminum foil and cut them into different intricate patterns based on the
rickshaw art, which themselves are loosely based on Islamic art, belonging
to the Ottoman and Moghul architecture. I found one of the patterns on the
boundary of a Mughul miniature. Islamic art and architecture are inseparably
intertwined. My secret garden has its inspiration from a sixteenth century
ceramic tile from Turkey."
Explaining another series of his artworks, Fida says, "I was really
disturbed by the race riots in Sydney's Cronulla Beach. This riot divided
the whole community. In my opinion what incited this riot was this
particular radio jockey who was stirring up the people: He was selling
tension as it made his ratings higher. The artwork is a sarcastic comment on
the race riots. Words are being used and abused by the media and
politicians. I've used the Aussie gold and green colours and called it a
flavour. I want to say that as long as we're listening to each other, no
matter how different our points of views are we're still understanding each
other. The couples, who are from different races and backgrounds are couples
in real life."
Fida's works on masks are taken from an exhibition called Crossings.
This deals with dental care and personal feelings. The models in animal
masks and jamdani sarees, act out outlandish scenes where characters dance
around manicured gardens as in old movies. The 'photomedia' came to Fida
naturally as he does a lot of computer work, processing images, and a lot of
sketches and paintings. 'Photomedia' is very popular in Australia now, as
can be gathered by the Australian entries in the last two Asian Biennales in
Dhaka.
Fida is passionate about "social justice and issues of environmental
sustainability." His life is a continuous exploration of materials,
techniques and ideas. He has had five solo exhibitions so far.
(L-R) My secret garden, Away from water on strange rocks
Torpedo
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