Artists and academics said that during the July mass uprising the people鈥檚 aspirations were expressed through various graffiti.
They made the remarks on Tuesday at a seminar titled 鈥楯uly Mass-uprising: Mourn and Victory鈥� organised by Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art at its Osman Zaman Auditorium in the capital Dhaka.
Art history department chairman Shake Manir Uddin presented the keynote paper while renowned artist Abdus Sattar spoke as the key speaker at the event.
DU academic pro-vice-chancellor Professor Mamun Ahmed was the chief guest while associate professors of the graphic design Reza Asad Al Huda Anupam and Israfil Ratan along with assistant professor of art history department Sanjay Kumar Dey spoke at the seminar chaired by FFA dean Azharul Islam Sheikh Chanchal.
Manir said that during the mass uprising people of Bangladesh not only protested at the regime on the streets and virtually but also expressed their hope, anger and statements through graffiti.
Sanjay said that the political and social instability were reasons for the uprising and the country observed the instability of thoughts due suppression by the regime which was ousted after the uprising.
Israfil said that artists should uphold the aspirations of the people instead of followers of any regime.
Sattar said that the July uprising reintroduced graffiti in Bangladesh and the mass people drew their demands, aspirations and protests through the graffiti and slogans.
鈥楧iverse graffiti use poetry, slogans and songs even paintings of Van Gogh across the country and we need to keep the unity of the uprising,鈥� Sattar said, adding that 鈥榦ur youth need to learn how to clean the country and will be alert to what they should speak publicly.鈥�
Mamun said that the university was organising a series of seminars to observe the first anniversary of the July uprising that ousted the authoritarian Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.
鈥業nclusivity is our only option and we believe diversity in unity. The democratic practice must focus each and every one expression with respect,鈥� said Mamun who also inaugurated a three-day group art exhibition featuring 56 artworks about the July uprising at the FFA鈥檚 Zainul Gallery.
The exhibition will end on July 25.
