Memory is rarely linear. It arrives in fragments – through colour, texture, sensation, and fleeting impressions of places once known. In “Earth & Memory”, artist Biplab Biprodas transforms these fragments into a series of abstract works that invite viewers into a deeply personal landscape shaped by nostalgia, nature, and remembrance.
The exhibition, currently on display at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), showcases abstract paintings in acrylic and mixed media. Drawing from memories of his childhood in Bagerhat and the surrounding landscapes of the Sundarbans, Biprodas creates compositions that blur the line between memory and imagination.
Biplab Biprodas (b. 1974) completed his MFA at the University of Development Alternative (UODA). Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous workshops and exhibitions across Asia, enriching his artistic practice. His work frequently explores the relationship between individuals and memory through abstract expressionism.
The exhibition was inaugurated on June 5, 2026. Veteran artist Prof Mohammad Eunus attended the opening as chief guest, while AFD Director M François Chambraud was present as special guest. Artists including Prof Rashid Amin and Prof Anisuzzaman Anis also attended. Despite the summer heat, the event attracted a large gathering of artists, art enthusiasts, and young visitors.
Born in a village in Bagerhat, Biprodas draws inspiration from the geological characteristics and sensory impressions of Bangladesh’s southern districts. His memories of the region emerge through abstractions of natural forms, colours, and textures. Speaking about his affinity for abstraction, the artist explained that everything we see and experience possesses an abstract form that can be expressed through art. He also cited Rabindranath Tagore’s paintings as a major influence on his artistic journey.
The walls of AFD are adorned with Biprodas’s ethereal works, creating the impression of stepping into a secret yet tangible world that exists only within the artist’s imagination. Upon entering the gallery, a large 7-by-4-foot canvas titled “Memory of Blue” immediately captures attention. Rendered in shades of blue and lemon, the work evokes a sense of anemoia—a longing for a time never personally experienced.
Most of the paintings measure around 3 by 3 feet, each executed with remarkable care and dedication. Biprodas employs bright yet soothing colours to communicate his ideas to viewers. His paintings demonstrate a careful balance between light and dark tones, while delicate brushwork and a strong hierarchy of forms reveal a keen sense of scale and proportion. Several works carry a monumental quality, yet the interplay of colour and form creates a harmonious visual language throughout the exhibition.
In short, Biplab Biprodas is a highly skilled artist, and the works presented in “Earth & Memory” possess a therapeutic quality that encourages contemplation. The exhibition will remain open to visitors at Alliance Française de Dhaka until June 10, 2026.
