Pictured by the Embassy of Pakistan, Mr Istiaque Ahmed.
Artist Saleem mainly deals with majestic nature in an abstract way. He finds inspiration in the tiniest detail of nature drop of rain water, a falling autumn leaf or a stoke of white in a blue sky which were beautifully reflected in his works. He consciously depicts nature in the high-pitched colours to bring new tune , sing a new song , tell a new story. His art works primarily depicts humanism in all its shades and colours.
Ambassadors of Croatia, India and Palestine to the Netherlands, EU Representative to the OPCW and IOM Representative etc were few dignitaries who visited show on the first day. To inaugurate this solo art exhibition, Embassy of Bangladesh hosted a reception on 19 May 2016 at the Embassy premises. The reception was attended by art lovers from diplomatic corps, local dignitaries, members of the press and media and the members of the Bangladesh community.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal in his brief address introduced the rich heritage and culture of Bangladesh to the visitors. Terming “Bangladesh” as a melting pot of races, Ambassador Belal shared perspectives on how deep rooted heritage of Bangladesh was reflected in her architecture, literature, dance, drama, music and painting. “Like a colourful montage, the cultural tradition of Bangladesh is a happy blending of many variants, unique in diversity but in essence greatly symmetrical” Ambassador elaborated.
Artist Khurshid Saleem in this address thanked the Embassy for the initiative. He briefly walked through the evolution of the Bangladeshi arts to the modern era. “Art for me – like nature itself – is a source of hope and inspiration. By bringing this internalized experience out on the canvas, I invite my viewers to imbue themselves with the same exhilaration and promise.”- artist Saleem added.
Khurshid Alam Saleem, affectionately referred to as the bimurto shilpi, is not only a recognized free-lance painter based in USA, his creative works also landed him in the land of forbidden city in 2008. Mr. Saleem represented both Bangladesh and America in the Beijing Olympic Art Exhibition 2008, which nominated 300 artists from 80 countries across the world as “Excellent Artists of the World.” Each artist was given an Olympic gold medal, a representation of an Olympic torch and a certificate. Mr. Saleem’s painting, “Forbidden City Colour and Olympics” made it to the final selection.
Building on Bangladesh’s last year’s participation in the Embassy Art Exhibition by the Diplomatic Magazine, the Embassy for the first time organised a solo art exhibition in the Embassy premises. The exhibition will continue till 23 May 2016 where admission is free.
Looking at the quality of the art works, may visitors requested the Embassy to partner with leading galleries in the Netherlands for arranging similar exhibition in other parts of the country in the future. The Embassy shall continue its effort to offer glimpses of Bangladesh art sanctuary in the future.
