An Analysis of the philosophical reflection on artist S M Sultan’s paintings

SM Sultan became famous internationally from the beginning of 1950s, whose paintings transformed the international identity of East Bengal art. On behalf of Pakistan, he traveled to America as the representative artist of Pakistan. He traveled to Europe. Where he gained international fame by exhibiting with world renowned artists Duffy, Paul Klee, Picasso, Henri Matisse and others. He came back to Dhaka 1953. But this artist, a unique genius, was a somewhat capricious person in his personal life. He can be said to be the full expression of real art. A somewhat erratic, whimsical nature, he could not get anything in order in his life. His source of energy of painting is our folk art and peasant life which is unique in different way. In 1976, through the exhibition he made himself established in contemporary art of Bangladesh. Due to scattering of his paintings in different collector, it is hard to connect with his paintings. We have found a chronology-based compilation of artworks of Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hasan and many more artists. As a result, it becomes very easy for researcher to collect data about them. SM Sultan is a unique talent in the history of Bangladesh. He can be called versatile genius in terms of artistic creativity or talent.

Nonetheless there is no comprehensive research work has been done on Sultan’s painting philosophy. A lot of articles have been written about his personal life but not on his analytical artistic philosophy. Collecting photographs of Sultan's paintings from different sources to create a chronology based analyze with his life and philosophy, which is essential for researchers and subsequent art students to understand Sultan and his works. The target of this project is to create a complete philosophical analysis by collecting photograph of his paintings from various collectors. Through my research project it will be possible to spread his artistic talent and philosophical depth internationally. Through this exposure, it will be able to establish our art and culture­ more prosperously in international arena.

• Research Project