Speakers at a programme on Friday said that the late acclaimed artist Qayyum Chowdhury was the pioneer of book design in the country.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organised the programme as part of its ongoing commemorative event titled 鈥楽mriti Satta Bhabishyat 2024鈥� at the National Art Gallery auditorium in the capital.
Smriti Satta Bhabishyat 2024, organised in collaboration with cultural affairs ministry, is featuring seminars, documentary films and discussions on 62 renowned individuals.
The event featured programmes commemorating the life and work of SM Sultan, Qayyum Chowdhury, Ustad Ayet Ali Khan and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan on Friday.聽
Professor of graphic design department at the University of Dhaka Mamun Kaiser presented the keynote paper titled 鈥楺ayyum Chowdhury: Nandanik Shilper Rupokar鈥� and Moinul Islam Zaber was present as discussant at the session, which was presided over by art critic Professor Bulbul Osman.
鈥楺ayyum Chowdhury studied at the drawing and painting department of the then Dhaka Art College, now the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka in 1954 and joined commercial art department of the same institution as a teacher in 1957. He was an expert in both Western and oriental art practice and he was popular among students. Qayyum Chowdhury designed a lot of book covers of famous authors of the country,鈥� said Mamun Kaiser.
鈥楬e used conventional typography, handwritten letters, sketches, drawings, paintings, photographs and others when he designed posters, book covers and logos of many national and international organisations. Although he was a master painter, he always worked in the country鈥檚 publishing industry,鈥� he ended.
鈥楺ayyum Chowdhury drew a lot of self-portraits in his life. His works comprising portraits, designs and paintings should be included in art education. He set a new standard for graphic design in the country,鈥� said Moinul Islam Zaber.聽
Besides, a documentary film on the life and work of Qayyum Chowdhury was screened at the venue.
鈥楽mriti Satta Bhabishyat 2024 will pay tribute to 62 renowned individuals through seminars, discussions and short documentary films,鈥� said director general of the BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky who inaugurated this edition.
The BSA will organise programmes as part of the event on Friday and Saturday at the same venue till June 12.