Monirul Islam (artist)

Last updated
Monirul Islam
মনিরুল ইসলাম
Monirul Islam Portrait.jpg
Islam in 2017
Born (1943-08-17) 17 August 1943 (age 80)
Chandpur, Bengal Presidency, British India
NationalityBangladeshi-Spanish
Alma mater

Monirul Islam (also known as Monir, born 17 August 1943) is a Bangladeshi-Spanish artist. [1] Monir is an International figure in etching for his signature style and experimental techniques. [2] For his great accomplishment in art, he received two of Spain's top civilian honors: the Cross of Officer of the Order of Queen Isabella (2010), [3] and the Commander Spanish Order of Merit (2018), [4] and Bangladesh Government's civilian award Ekushey Padak in 1999. [5]

Contents

Education and career

Monir was born in Chandpur, Bengal Presidency of British India, present-day Bangladesh. [6] He studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Dhaka during 1966-1969 when Zainul Abedin and Mustafa Monwar were his teachers and mentors. He also taught there as a faculty member for one year. [1] With a scholarship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, he graduated in mural paintings from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, Madrid. [1] After graduation, he remained permanently resident in Spain.

Etching allowed him his first success in Spain in the early seventies when he was included in the short-lived Grupo Quince , [7] which gave him a platform to be in touch with the vanguards of the technique; he worked alongside artists such as Antonio Saura, José Guerrero, Amadeo Gabino, Lucio Muńoz, Alfonso Fraile, Niels Borch Jensen, Carmen Laffón, Antoni Tàpies Juan Romero, Miguel Ángel Campano, Rafael Canogar, Fernando Zóbel, and Luis Gordillo. [8] By this time he was also directing the workshop of Antonio Lorenzo with whom he keeps a life-long great friendship. [2] In the Spanish art world, the result of his "free-bite" technique of etching is known as "Escuela de Monir” (School of Monir). [9]

The works of Monirul Islam are easily recognizable for the harmonious balance of the empty space and delicate lines, texture and forms that transcendent and transform the versatility and diversity of life through his own developed style and continuous experimentation of techniques. His works can be placed in a great arc stretching from the beginning of his career up to recent times. The present is a mere stop in his long journey as a pilgrim traveling a great distance. [10] [2]

Although Monir is fully integrated with the Spanish artistic movement, he does not leave his Bangladeshi roots. Through his works - etchings, paintings, monotypes, or watercolor - speaks in a language that has been created with rhythms of colors, graphics, and alludes forms and his wisdom, spiritual sensibility and technical skills. [2]

Documentary on Monirul Islam

In 2008, a documentary film entitled “Phera/ফেরা" (The Homecoming), [11] on the life and work of Monirul Islam, was directed and scripted by Fahmida Akhter. [12] It was produced by the Bengal Foundation. [13]

Awards and honors

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zainul Abedin</span> Bangladeshi painter and pioneer of the modern art movement

Zainul Abedin, also known as Shilpacharya was a prominent Bangladeshi painter. He became well known in 1944 through his series of paintings depicting some of the great famines in Bengal during its British colonial period. After the Partition of Indian subcontinent he moved to East Pakistan. In 1948, he helped to establish the Institute of Arts and Crafts at the University of Dhaka. The Indian Express has described him as a legendary Bangladeshi painter and activist. Like many of his contemporaries, his paintings on the Bengal famine of 1943 are viewed as his most characteristic works. His homeland honored him with given the title "Shilpacharya" "Great teacher of the arts" for his artistic and visionary attributes. He was the pioneer of the modern art movement that took place in Bangladesh and was rightly considered by Syed Manzoorul Islam as the founding father of Bangladeshi modern arts, soon after Bangladesh earned the status of an independent republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashid Haider</span> Bangladeshi writer (1941–2020)

Rashid Haider was a Bangladeshi author and novelist. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2014 and Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1984 by the Government of Bangladesh. He was the author of more than 70 books throughout his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rafiqun Nabi</span> Bangladeshi artist and cartoonist (born 1943)

Rafiqun Nabi, better known as Ranabi, is a Bangladeshi artist and cartoonist. He is best known for creating Tokai, a character symbolizing the poor street boys of Dhaka who lives on picking things from dustbins or begging and having a knack of telling simple yet painful truths about current political and socio-economic situation of the country. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1993 by the government of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ekushey Padak</span> Second highest civilian award in Bangladesh

Ekushey Padak is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contributions in a number of fields, including culture, education, and economics. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs administers the award.

Abu Naser Muhammad Gaziul Haque was a language activist and an activist leader during the Bengali Language Movement.

Abdul Alim was a Bangladeshi folk singer. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1975 for playback in Sujan Sakhi. He was posthumously awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1977 and Independence Day Award in 1997 by the Government of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syed Jahangir</span> Bangladeshi painter

Syed Jahangir was a Bangladeshi painter. He was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in 1985. He served as the department head of the Arts Faculty at Shilpakala Academy in 1977. His notable paintings include Attmar Ujjibon, Ullas, Dhoni, Ojana-Oneshya and Osoni-Sangket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safiuddin Ahmed</span> Bangladeshi artist

Safiuddin Ahmed was a Bangladeshi artist. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1978 and Independence Day Award in 1996 by the Government of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mustafa Monwar</span> Bangladeshi artist

Mustafa Monwar is a Bangladeshi artist. He is a painter, sculptor, radio performer and professor of fine arts. He is currently the chairman of Bangladesh Shishu Academy. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2004 by the Government of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammad Kibria</span> Bangladeshi painter

Mohammad Kibria was a Bangladeshi artist. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1983 and Independence Day Award in 1999 by the Government of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murtaja Baseer</span> Bangladeshi painter and artist (1932–2020)

Murtaja Baseer was a Bangladeshi painter and artist known for his abstract realism themed works. He was also a poet, author, researcher, numismatist, and filmmaker. Baseer was awarded the Ekushey Padak, Bangladesh's second highest civilian honor, in 1980, and the Swadhinata Padak, or Independence Day Award, Bangladesh's highest state award, in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qayyum Chowdhury</span> Bangladeshi painter (1932–2014)

Qayyum Chowdhury was a Bangladeshi painter. Along with Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan and Safiuddin Ahmed, he is considered as a first generation artist of Bangladesh. He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1984 and the Independence Day Award in 2014 by the Government of Bangladesh.

Syed Golam Kibria was a Bangladeshi journalist and politician. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2016 by the Government of Bangladesh.

Aminul Islam was a Bangladeshi artist. He was a part of Bangladesh modern art movement in 1950s. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1981 and Independence Day Award in 1988 by the Government of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shamim Sikder</span> Bangladeshi sculptor (1953–2023)

Shamim Sikder was a Bangladeshi sculptor. Sikder served as a professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka between 1980–2001. She was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2000 by the Government of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nawazish Ali Khan</span> Bangladeshi television producer

Nawazish Ali Khan is a television producer. His notable productions are Bohubrihi (1988-1989), Ayomoy (1990-1991), Jalsha (1994), Jononi(1993). He is currently serving as the CEO at Global Television.

S. M. Mohsin was a Bangladeshi stage and television actor. He became an honorary fellow of the Bangla Academy in 2018. In 2020, he was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution to acting.

Sayeba Akhter is a Bangladeshi physician who has dedicated her career to eliminating obstetric fistula. She is an executive member of the International Society of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons and has previously served as the president of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of Bangladesh. She leads two charities, in Dhaka and Gaibandha, which focus on the education of underprivileged girls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mofidul Hoque</span>

Mofidul Hoque is a Bangladeshi researcher, publisher and essayist. He is one of the founder trustees of the Bangladesh Liberation War Museum. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2016 and Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2013 by the government of Bangladesh.

The Painter Kazi Anowar Hossain Award was officially launched at the 23rd National Fine Art Exhibition, Bangladesh in 2019. This award generally is given every two years. In 2016, the government of Bangladesh awarded the posthumous Ekushey Padak to artist Kazi Anowar Hossain for his contribution to the field of art and painting. This is a matter of surprise that he only painted boat from his childhood to his death. Father of the Bengali nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman affectionately used to call him Nauka Anowar means Boat Anowar in English. Bangladesh's national academy of Art launched this award in memory of this great painter.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "through the eyes of Monirul Islam". The Daily Star Online, Bangladesh. 14 April 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Javier Lambán y Coca Garrido (2008). Monir, Brumas cálidas. Zaragoza: EdieionesFuendetodos. pp. 7–14. ISBN   978-84-9703-215-5.
  3. 1 2 3 "Spanish honour for artist Monirul Islam". The Daily Star. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Monirul Islam to receive Royal Spanish Order of Merit tomorrow". The Daily Star. 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  5. 1 2 একুশে পদকপ্রাপ্ত সুধীবৃন্দ [Ekushey Padak winners list] (in Bengali). Government of Bangladesh. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  6. ↑ "Artist Monirul awarded Spain's Order of Merit". The Asian Age Online, Bangladesh. 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  7. ↑ "La actividad gráfica de Grupo Quince" (in Spanish).
  8. ↑ Mónica Gener Frigols (2013). "La actividad gráfica de Grupo Quince" (in Spanish). Madrid: Complutense University of Madrid.
  9. ↑ "Retracing the Journey of an Artist". The Daily Star. 2014-07-02.
  10. ↑ "Dhaka Courier", 20 August 2015
  11. ↑ "The Homecoming (ফেরা)", Bengal Foundation YouTube Channel, retrieved 2021-04-18
  12. ↑ "Fahmida Akhter".
  13. ↑ "Bengal Foundation".
  14. ↑ "Monirul Islam Receives Sultan Padak". The Daily Star. 2012-01-17. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.