Nawshaba Aziz
Journalist, The Daily Star
My Staring Women series talks about the inner power of women in general. It captures our social transformation. Around 2008 the black veil started over powering our community, especially in urban society. It was a major shift in terms of dress code for our women. Culturally we always practice and promote secularism. For me it does not matter whether the woman is veiled or unveiled though I noticed this change took place in our society. Later on, I realized it’s a global shift in the name of religion. It’s a political agenda for sure which still going on in our society and day by day it’s increasing without knowing the real fact of the matter. To me veil is a chose without any stereo typical religious, political or fundamental agenda. Sometimes I wonder, one can sense such strong spirit within those covers (hijab). The question remains, are the unveiled women, who are trapped in a material world are truly liberated? Or has the male dominated society created their persona within which they are stuck in, never really connecting with their true force, their true ability. I am trying to cherish the power of women, and women who can confront any situation against any odds. My ‘Staring Women’ series is a protest to objectify women and their attire.
What do you want to express by your work?
I believe art has no confirmation, rather it deals with possibilities. Hence, I always want to try possibilities more than anything. I don’t want to be the ‘Prisoner of Art’. For me painting is a feeble, unsuccessful activity, after all. But it has unlimited possibilities to go beyond and rise further. I know that art can take me there where I will only try to create more and destroy more. Because this is the only process art knows and this the only path an artist should take. My art express power of freedom, choice and liberation.
What do you want to achieve by your art?
I want to achieve the truth of existence. I am a believer of non-conformist. I believe I have no form, rather fluid. Through my art I want to create discourse of philosophy that art makes us do things that never has been done. It’s a process and a lifestyle against stereotypical formula. I am trying to find my soul and self through my art practice.
Well, for a society like Bangladesh, art means a relief, an outer expression of selfagony. We earned our independence but we are yet to achieve the freedom of choice. In all over the world the only language that speaks about human freedom is art. Still in current context of the world we are suffering from identity crisis and fundamental issues. In this type of situation, art always plays a vital role to express the social issues for peace and self-contentment.
What do you think art means for a society like Western-Europe?
Actually, art market, art concept is based on western countries till now. They think they determine ‘good’ art/’bad’ art/art for art sake. They are the movement makers, scenery-shakers and what not. So, western countries are playing the role of a guardian to global art movement to a certain extent, determining how it will evolve. Also, as the market is evolved and matured, artists can experiment quite a bit and go a long way against any established stream and yet be appreciated. What is important for us to realize that art is an organic process and it’s creates the context within its own journey. It cannot be determined or be ordered, it’s not tailor made. So, our smart approach would be to avoid what Western-European have done so far because they are already old fashioned. We need to create our own discourse through our own technique, philosophy and identity. We need to lead not to be leaden.
Which position/function do art have in Bangladesh?
In Bangladesh, currently, art is also passing a transition period. It’s a very important phase. With the highest youth demography and new digital technology, the society is facing a challenge to make a major shift. Interestingly enough today’s youth is absolutely global, they understand traditional value but they are keen aware of the power of technology. So, this is the perfect time for art revolution. After 1971, this is the third generation. We will witness a renaissance in every sector including art. But the problem is we are not really connected with the contemporary art scenery, for lack of experience and exposure. When a country suffers from political crisis, it’s bound to happen. Here everything is happening by self-trial/error. Technology is the tool to utilize to improve the fundamental believe of the core notion of being Bangladeshi. We need more and more initiative and platforms where we can make a strong platform to engage art. Creativity is the crucial tool for the development of any country. Without creative reinforcement and engagement art would never flourish.
How is art perceived in Bangladesh?
Art is not versatile in Bangladesh. It’s one dimensional. That’s why it’s missing its target to achieve. We perceive art in a very narrow spectrum. Art is a part of creativity. Creativity is the larger notion. When we only concentrate on art it’s loses the other strong aspects like philosophy, content, sociology, philanthropy etc. In Bangladesh art education has to be in a standard that it will cater the enlightens. Not visual cannot be an art. It should be knowledge driven, it got to have that 360 degree angle to understand the full circle of artistic expression. For an example if our country would be just a land it would not be Bangladesh. She got her own language, got her own culture, got her own identity, per se. In Bangladesh we haven’t done any art as yet. We were warm upping for starting our art. Bangladesh is a 50 years old country but its land been fertile over decades even before that. We need to have discourse on those historic contexts to proceed with our goal of a nation that is unique and different than any other. Art would be one of the tools that we need to perceive carefully to achieve that identity.
How is it to be a female artist in Bangladesh?
Artists has no gender. That’s why art is freedom. We got quite a good number of female artists in Bangladesh. The challenge is always there for a woman. Sad to say, Bangladesh is a very male dominating society but the good part is when a society is not smart enough, they practice male domination. If you look today’s youth they are almost half and half. Situation is changing. It’s a constant process to empower women. My journey as an artist being a woman was a learning process where every day I learnt to be empowered more and more. I create not only for art also for my life because it is my life that could create the art itself. It was never separate. I was smart enough to understand the odds and I make my own strategy to overcome those issue day by day. Before being an artist, one need to understand that they have to be sustainable and financially independent to pursue their passion. Even in women issues from home to work it’s very emotional, we need to be rational to solve the issue. In Bangladesh women artist if I had to say so) are talented, hardworking and creative but the only thing that is missing that is the awareness of being equal and getting the right to avail supreme power of voice and decision making.
What made you become an artist?
Art happen to me. Art choose me to become an artist. I am a self-made person. I am very passionate about knowledge and creativity. I devote my entire life craving and searching for the two unparalleled universes of existence. I believe that, everyone has their contribution pattern to life. Art is a pattern that has chosen me. And when I started practicing art seriously, I felt my life and to be reactive towards my surroundings, then I realized I should be an artist. Because that is the best way for me to connect and communicate.
Is there something in your life that had a special influence on you as an artist?
Well, I am not sure about the influence but, when my dad died in early age and we (all brother/sister) had to decide for my mom’s second marriage, as she was very young at that time. My new dad came; the total scenery was so heart breaking for me to take. I felt that my father’s place has been taken away. Though, my step dad loved me immensely. This is a completely new situation a young woman (22 years) like me. I definitely had no idea how to handle it. Our society being very selfish and non-cooperative always wanting me to behave ignoring my point of trauma. My psychological state became very fragile when I met this amazingly sensitive architect Prof. Sheikh Ahsan Ullah Majumdar who appeared as an outbound power of my life to encourage me as an artist to inspires in my new life of being an artist. He was my true mentor as that point who coaches me to have this amazing journey of life. At that time, I was a student of fine arts. Interestingly, when I was going through this mental shock, practice of art rescued me from total mental destruction. I realized that creation or creativity can bring back life, it can make one cherish life, celebrate the existence and nurture inner passion.
What has been your biggest challenge(s) as an artist?
My biggest challenge was to prove myself that I am different. I see life in a different way. Our society in general operates in a very confirmative manner, doing things the same way, never out of the box, appreciating the age-old tradition only. It takes a lot of courage, effort and dedication to establish new ideas, new thinking, if you look back our history artists with breakaway thinking and approach could not stay in Bangladesh, they had to leave the country where it was more accepted. But now situation changed I through my ground-breaking ideas doing traditional, digital and new media art. My performance is appreciated all over the world. My life with its own way encourages many and I became a cultural influencer to transform the traditional orthodox society in many of my take.
What has been your biggest achievement(s) as an artist?
I should say through art I knew life, the soul and the meaning of real existence. My biggest achievement is that I can be true to my feeling. I can inspire other people and I know who I am and what I want to accomplish from life. My biggest achievement I would say that the youth got inspired by my works and activism. I helped to reshape the thinking of being what society want you to be rather what you want to become. Art gives me the idea of exploring unknown, being super adventurous, travel all over the places and believe that I am limitless because I am fearless.
Would you like to work as an artist in another country?
I am a travel-artist. I am always exploring culture diversity and engage myself in enormous possibilities. Hence a place is not a factor for me anymore. This is an era of communication. In today’s 2019 context we all are global citizen in true sense. New experience always inspiring its always important to know other culture. So that you take and omit the unnecessary. With lot of opportunity that the world offers today is very different that even it was in 2010. The fastest moving world offers significant opportunities one can avail even he or she in their own land. But Bangladesh has its limited scopes because of its narrow vision for understanding the power of art and artist. It’s better for some time if artists can go, research, explore and create from another culture as well. The more diverse the culture the more dimension it would bring to one’s creation. Also, I must say here, to understand and having a solid discourse of your own work one need to go beyond borders to make a contextual judgment. Theory is art, so to convert your art into a theory or a movement you have no boundaries.