Creativity of people should be recognized

Celebrated artist and sculptor Mrinal Haque visited The Asian Age office recently. He has made the sculpture Lady Justice which is installed in front of Supreme Court. While Speaking to The Asian Age, he addressed different aspects of creative works, present status and future prospects of art and sculptures in Bangladesh. The interview was taken by Mahfuz Ul Hasib Chowdhury for The Asian Age.

The Asian Age (AA): What are the differences between sculptures and statues? Is the figure installed in front of Supreme Court a statue or a sculpture? Why is Hefazat-E-Islam opposing it? Mrinal Haque (MH): The figure in front of Supreme Court is a sculpture. Sculptures are made for beautification, not for worshipping. Rather idols of gods and goddesses are made by worshippers of some religions and those things are placed inside temples and churches like the idols of goddess Durga, goddess Kali, Mother Mary and so on. Idols of gods and goddesses have colors and ornaments.

On the other hand, sculptures are made across the world for the purpose of enhancing beauty of cities and towns. Sculptures are artworks which are placed in open spaces so that all people can see these things. People don't worship sculptures. Sculptures are built up for preserving memories of legendary people like Abraham Lincoln, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Che Guevara, Lenin, Mao Tse Tung and so on. Some Islamic parties of Bangladesh are opposing sculptures and statues because they don't understand the difference between sculptures and idols. Most of the people belonging to Islamic parties are from madrassas. These people don't read newspapers. They don't watch television. They don't visit art galleries. For this reason, leaders and activists of these Islamic parties cannot differentiate statues and sculptures from idols.

AA: What did you originally want to reflect through the sculpture you made for Supreme Court? Who told you to make it? What is the significance of this sculpture? MH: I have made the sculpture in front of Supreme Court after receiving a proposal from Chief Justice and some other officials from High Court. I would not dare to build up something from my personal desire in front of Supreme Court. Let me tell you one thing clearly, the sculpture on the premises of Supreme Court does not represent any god or goddess. It represents a purely Bengali woman. It holds balance in one hand and carries a sword in another symbolizing the esteem of justice. Such sculptures are found in front of courts in many more countries. But in our country some people are against this sculpture because of wrong ideas about art and statues.

AA: Did you face any threat from fundamentalists for your artistic creations? Does your occupation as a sculptor make you feel unsafe in Bangladesh? MH: I have received more than one hundred threats through facebook from some people. I have received threatening emails too. Naturally it makes me feel worried. You know several bloggers were killed during last several years. Some of my statements also have been misinterpreted. While I was working on a mural at Rajshahi University several years back, I faced threats from some fundamentalist political parties over there. My work was interrupted. But still I accomplished my assignment. My sculpture of Lalon in front of airport in Dhaka was smashed by radical parties. It caused losses of 1 crore 35 lakh taka due to demotion of the sculpture of Lalon. My sculpture on handloom in Narsingdi was vandalized too by fanatic parties. I made all these sculptures with my own money. But nobody compensated me for the damages done to my sculptures.

AA: Did you ever ask for security from the government, particularly from law and order forces? MH: No. I did not seek any special arrangement from the government for my security. I am an artist. I am not a political leader neither a minister to be all the time escorted by security forces. People might laugh at me if I do so.

AA: What may be done by the government to inform people about the value of art and cultural heritage? MH: The government should make beautiful sculptures in all cities and towns to enlighten people about the true essence and value of art, statues and sculptures. All artists should come up to make Dhaka and other cities more attractive with nicely built sculptures. The more sculptures we build, the more city dwellers will appreciate such things. In this way the government can play wide roles for making everyone familiar with the features, importance and beauty of sculptures and artworks.

AA: We have seen Bengali New Year murals were defaced in Fine Arts Institute of Chittagong one or two days before this year's Pahela Baishakh celebrations. How would you react to this occurrence? MH: People who disfigured the murals of Bengali New Year in Chittagong are against the traditions and cultural heritage of Bangladesh. This occurrence is an ominous sign for us. We need to be very cautious for saving our cultural resources and artistry.

AA: The government has recently recognized certain degrees from Qwaumi madrasas. What is your opinion about this decision by the government? MH: It is very important to include Bengali, English, history, geography, science and technology in the curriculum of Qwaumi madrassas besides Islamic studies. Students of Qwaumi madrassas don't find good jobs because they have no idea about anything other than Arabic. They can become worthy citizens and can secure proper employment by gaining knowledge on all general subjects, not just Islamic textbooks.

AA: How do you envision the future of Bangladesh's art from present perspectives? MH: Currently the arena of art in Bangladesh is dominated by a handful of artists and this thing is politically influenced. As a result some talented artists cannot obtain enough recognition. We should honor the creative power of all people who have artistic talent if we want our artworks to flourish more in future.

AA: You are a widely renowned artist. How many sculptures have you so far made in Bangladesh and abroad? MH: I have made murals on 950 spots across Bangladesh including Dhaka city. I have also built up around 300 sculptures in different places of this country including the capital. I have designed around 35 mosques in several places of Bangladesh. Moreover, I have portrayed 60 to 70 artworks, murals and made sculptures in other countries like the United States of America, England, Singapore etc.

AA: Would you tell us a few things about your academic life? MH: I spent my school life in Rajshahi Cadet College. On the other hand, I studied fine arts in Dhaka University.  AA: Thank you for sharing your valuable time with us.  MH: You are welcome.