A special solo exhibition titled 'Face of Life' by artist Aminul Islam Ashik is currently ongoing at Zainul Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, inaugurated on Monday.

The week-long exhibition is featuring over 40 sculptures and drawings, and two video artworks.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was joined by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Dhaka University Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed as the chief guest, while Professor Dr Azharul Islam Sheikh, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University; eminent art maestro Hamiduzzaman Khan; and Britto Art Trust co-founder and artist Mahbubur Rahman were present as the special guests.

A special publication on the exhibition, published by ARTCON, was also unveiled at the inauguration ceremony. The publication is designed by ARTCON Founder ARK Reepon.

"It is with great pleasure that we celebrate the first solo exhibition of Aminul Islam Ashik, a distinguished alumnus of the Faculty of Fine Arts," Dr Mamun said at the event. Inaugurating the event and unveiling the publication, he said Aminul's work stands as a testament to his deep engagement with both the sensory and cognitive dimensions of the human experience.

"His art reflects an ongoing dialogue with the complexities of human emotion, identity, and the socio-political forces that shape our world; his portrayal of the human face as a symbol of existential transformation is deeply personal and universally relevant, and his sculptures and installations transcend the individual, probing the collective struggles of identity, power, and survival that define our shared humanity," Dr Mamun said.

Eminent artist Hamiduzzaman Khan said that one can observe an expansive realm of thought in the works of Ashik. Lauding his student, Khan said: "Ashik was one of my direct students. From the beginning of his academic journey, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his craft with remarkable skill and diligence."

"His intellectual world, even at that time, was contemporary and modern, I once told him, "One day you will achieve great recognition," and I am proud that his work has garnered national and international praise," Hamiduzzaman Khan said.

'Face of Life': maiden solo exhibition of Aminul Islam Ashik opens at DU Zainul Gallery

Echoing the same, Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Dr Azharul Islam Sheikh said: "Ashik was an exceptionally talented student in the Sculpture Department of our Faculty of Fine Arts. From his student years, modernism and postmodernism were central themes in his work; his creations consistently reflect deep contemplation. Rather than prioritizing material, he focused on expression-skillfully mastering whatever medium was necessary to convey his thought; and as a result, in 2012, he was recognized as the Best Student of the faculty."

In his curatorial note, the exhibition curator and the publication's designer-publisher ARTCON founder ARK Reepon stated: "Over the past fifteen years, Ashik has developed a strikingly original voice in sculpture and conceptual art, and 'Face of Life' gathers more than 40 of his various works into one resonant collection. Ashik's sculptures and installations are not just objects; they are dialogues. With materials like fiberglass, iron, and wood, he excavates the psychological terrain of the human face and the symbolic weight of "the seat," which recurs as a metaphor for authority, identity, and vulnerability."

"Through expressive faces and symbolic compositions, my art delves into the human condition - its joys, struggles, and desire for meaning. My creative process is shaped by ongoing learning from people, society, and nature; and for me, art is not static - it is a living process, a reflection of nature's flow, ever-changing and continuous," Aminul Islam Ashik stated, expressing his gratitude to the Faculty of Fine Arts and all of his mentors for his maiden solo exhibition.

The opening ceremony was also joined by other distinguished artists, art admirers and faculty members of DU Faculty of Fine Arts.

Open to all, the week-long exhibition will continue at the Zainul Gallery till May 25, from 11 am to 7 pm everyday.