The Surrealist – Sajidul Islam

The “Artist of the Month” feature is truly an exhilarating experience for any artist. Our focus for the month of October 2008 is “Sajidul Islam”, an artist from the picturesque locales of the Diamond Harbor, a suburb in the Ganges. Diamond Harbor has given him a lot; it has nourished his frivolity, eccentricity, endured his intellectual devotion and madness. Saji and his friends had found their favorite hangout, their ‘adda’. It is here that they would discuss topics ranging from sociology, genesis, biobang, relationships, sex, postcolorism, literature, grand narrative, Marks, quantum mechanics, down to their personal angst and crisis. His friends would continuously invade him with questions, sometimes answering them, but most of the while the questions and answers would be concocted to a perfect confusion. Mocking at them and leaving them in virtual nothingness.

This nothingness found inroads on his canvas eventually. In his quest for alternatives, when Saji would lose orientation, suddenly he would see something hazy coming up, shaping, from a surreal world, disguised to us. And here in lies the importance of the beholder. Saji says as a beholder you watch it, independently, think in your own right, discuss in your own way. Thus the creation gets rid of its creator and touches the universal chord!

Critic Comments:

“I have gone through your recent works. Those are mind-blowing, amazing, sensational and marvelous work. Among those works, Down memory lane, Claustrophobia, Phantasmagoria, Diffusion, Life in necropolis, Legacy of civilization, Roots, Agitation, and Metamorphosis attracted me a lot for the innovative composition and imagination.
Vincent van Gogh said: ‘I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say he feels deeply, he feels tenderly’. Your art is touchy and helps me to feel about the surroundings.
Salvador Dali quoted : ‘People love mystery, and that is why they love my paintings’. This mystery loved by mankind is present in your work. I wish your success at every walk of your life and I believe that in near future you will be a renowned artist.”
–Dr.Prasanta K. Bag, Calcutta

Saji’s works, some of them are as large as 160×200 inches (13ftx17ft)! They have also been highly appreciated by his professors, art critics and notable amongst them is an international figure, a noble laureate
Mr. D.Harbor (a german scientist ).

Art at the Click of the Mouse

Let’s go online. That seems to be the mantra for art galleries staging shows. Based on feedback, online exhibits are growing by 20-30% every year. As a result, the volume of sales and buyers’ inquiries have seen a quantum jump of between 400% and 500%.

“Today, Indians spread across the US, UK, Hongkong, Singapore and Dubai among other places are active buyers of Indian art. They also carry out a lot of research on th web and look for works. The important thing is that people from all over the world can have access to these shows. This accessibility is not possible in an physical gallery show. It gets restricted to the city where the show is being held.” a source said.

According to the source, online shows have essentially gathered steam over the past 2-3 years. This is because Indians have become increasingly aware of the contemporary art scene. Besides, the country’s diaspora abroad has turned wealthy.

“The online format also pushes up sales numbers and buyers’ inquiries by 400-500%.The big ticket sales transpire in international hubs like New York as underscored by the September auctions every year by Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Galleries can reach out to these centers by going online.”. The source said.