Abdus Shakoor (painter)
Abdus Shakoor | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 31, 1947 Bogra district, Pakistan (now Bangladesh) |
| Occupation(s) | Painter, calligrapher |
| Known for | Bengali folk art-inspired paintings and calligraphy |
Abdus Shakoor (born 31 December 1947) is a distinguished painter and calligrapher from Bangladesh.
Early life and career
Abdus Shakoor was born in the Bogra district, which was part of Pakistan at the time and is now within Bangladesh. His artwork predominantly explores themes rooted in heritage and history, drawing inspiration from the folk art traditions established by Quamrul Hassan and Jamini Roy. His creations frequently feature Bengali folk elements and narratives, including the romantic ballads "Mahua" and "Malua"—love stories originating from Eastern Bengal in the 17th century—as well as the tale of the Nakshi Kanthar Math. The imagery in his paintings often includes animals such as peacocks, parrots, elephants, bulls, cats, tigers, snakes, and lizards.
Shakoor's artistic technique is notable for its use of flowing, thick brushstrokes with few sharp contours. Critics have drawn parallels between his style and that of European painters like Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee.
He currently holds the position of chairman of the Craft Department at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University.
Legacy
In recognition of his contributions to art, Shakoor received a gold medal at the 15th National Art Exhibition hosted by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka in 2002.