Asem Ansari
Asem Ansari, a gifted artist from Bangladesh, was deeply fascinated by texture—the tactile quality of objects and surfaces. He found inspiration in the diverse textures that evoked a sense of touch, whether it was the soil, clay, mud, sand, brick, concrete, wood, iron, human body, animals, water, sky, or the moon. Ansari believed that texture, with its ability to generate feelings ranging from the real to the surreal, could be imbued with color, space, and forms, creating an atmospheric, philosophic, narrative, or symbolic impact.
His paintings were an expression of his experiences—a blend of visual and intellectual exercises that sought to understand life. Ansari's work was deeply rooted in his surroundings, drawing inspiration from his origins and sense of belonging. Many elements in his paintings were derived from rural Bangladesh, featuring clay huts, muddy courtyards, bamboo fences, haystacks, water, boats, humans, and animals. Among these elements, the moon often played a significant role, depicting romance, cosmic connections, and the eternal nature of existence.
The distinct use of mixed colors was a notable feature of Ansari's artwork, giving his paintings a unique identity in the crowded art world. To create texture on his canvas, he employed various tools such as palette knives, matchsticks, toothpicks, and anything that could manipulate thick paints. He also experimented with sand, fabric, and paper to achieve the desired effect, feeling, and mood. Even in his watercolors, Ansari skillfully employed techniques like the sedimentation of paint ingredients with water, dripping, clotting, cracking, and graining on wet paper to create textured surfaces.
Though Asem Ansari is no longer with us, his artistic legacy lives on. His ability to capture the essence of texture and infuse it with emotions resonates within the hearts of those who appreciate his work. His paintings, born from a profound understanding of life, continue to represent his surroundings, his roots, and his identity. The textured grains, drips, and sedimentations that characterized his style remain an enduring hallmark of his artistic expression.
Asem Ansari's watercolors, showcased at Artist Trekker, exemplify his preferred style and treatment of texture. From the grainy texture and reflective forms in "Foggy Waterfront" to the textured atmosphere of rural Bangladesh in "Breakfast in Courtyard," his artworks immerse viewers in the sights and sensations of his homeland. The pieces "Ritualistic Slab from Past" and "Big Date in Old Dhaka (Boro Katara)" capture the texture of stone and terra-cotta, inviting contemplation on the passage of time and the cultural heritage embedded within such materials.
Although Asem Ansari has departed from this world, his artistic contributions will forever be cherished. His exploration of texture and its expressive potential left an indelible mark on the art world, and his evocative works continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the globe.
