Celebrating Jamal Ahmed’s life and art at Galleri Kaya

Artist Jamal Uddin Ahmed's stylish confidence, tilting towards a definite hippie swagger, is what makes the art world of Dhaka love him. He dons a devil-may-care attitude, yet has the most amiable personality, making him a pleasant person to interact with.

His towering persona is accentuated by his trademark open shirt buttons, upturned collars, thick gold chains, and a nonchalant poise. The 70-year-old recently celebrated his birthday at Galleri Kaya, a contemporary art gallery in Uttara.

Dressed in an all-white ensemble, and his glasses on top of his forehead, the artist deliberately displayed a Tamil superstar vibe, looking mysteriously stylish.

The Ekushey Padak recipient of 2019, Ahmed is a professor at the Department of Drawing & Painting of the University of Dhaka, under the Faculty of Fine Arts.

His popularity surpasses that of any superstar, and because of his emotional intelligence, conscientiousness, and a friendly, easily approachable demeanour, the artist is sought-after personality in Dhaka's art community. Ahmed is highly valued in his social and professional settings as well.

Galleri Kaya, with its strong commitment to professionalism and keeping the gallery purely on an intellectual and creative plateau, is holding an exclusive exhibition, ''Celebrating Jamal Ahmed." Exhibits are from his most recent works.

His works reflect his non-conformist attitude, and a powerful philosophical stance that is almost psychedelic. His bold strokes bring out the subtlety in the pose of his subject, be it a girl bathing or a pigeon in flight. He can capture the true essence of a fleeting expression to perfection, which draws us to his art.

His style does not stem from any artsy perspective of his surroundings; rather, it shows his skill in capturing the exact emotion of how any normal person would view a girl braiding her hair, or the old lady contemplating life sitting on a chair on the porch.

"His strength lies in realism. He has mastered the art of capturing light and shadow. It is quite apparent that the artist possesses a profound comprehension of landscapes. Several of his figurative works express a significant feeling of joy. His drawings and sketches are vibrant and exhibit the appropriate level of restraint. He understands precisely when to cease, which is a fundamental element of his artistic expression," says Goutam Chakraborty, director, Galleri Kaya.

Jamal's themes are almost kaleidoscopic; from the picturesque beauty of Bengal, its peaceful landscapes and riverine communities, to urban life, bauls, mendicants, and the working class. But it is his aesthetic portrayal of the alluring forms of young women, gypsy women, oarsmen, boatmen, and fishermen that are a smash hit with contemporary collectors of Dhaka. However, his most sought-after artworks feature his pigeons, horses, and raging bull.

For art enthusiasts, collectors, and regular people, Jamal's paintings bring about a profound sense of exhilaration.

The most striking canvas exhibited at Galleri Kaya is the 2025 acrylic work on canvas called Beauty in the river, 72x72 inches in size. Then there is Winter in the same medium on a canvas of 42x66 inches.

There is a total of 22 artworks of watercolour on paper, charcoal on paper, and mixed media on paper. These are works done between '24 and '25 and will be on exhibition at Galleri Kaya till November 21.

Galleri Kaya started its journey on 28 May, 2004, and has a successful portfolio of exhibitions, art trips, art camps, and art workshops both at home and abroad, gradually building a bond of trust with artists, art connoisseurs, and the media.

Celebrating Jamal Ahmed is a must-visit exhibition, because it fills you with cheerfulness and takes your mind off the chaos.