Sometimes illustrated with paints, lyrically symphonised in tunes or maybe traced by a dancer’s steps, art has its own language of expression. An artist often manifests his imaginations, memories and journey through his creations. Every piece created is a testimonial of what has nurtured the creator, what he believes in and what guides him in his journey.
Terrain Curated presents ‘The Ethereal Threshold’, a series where the artist has translated his observations, memories and journey into art.
Md. Anirul Islam’s journey began in the heart of West Bengal where he was trained by his mother and was in constant touch with the rich local artistic traditions. Centered around storytelling, Anirul’s art is a reflection of not only his inner self but also represents shared experiences and collective memories.
Md. Anirul Islam
‘The Ethereal Threshold’ blurs the distance between art and its spectators by inviting them into the narrative. The series unfolds a world that is beyond what one can perceive. Each frame is a story of metaphorical landscapes divided by an invisible boundary, a threshold. The artworks evoke a sense of place that connects one's actions with their memories.
The threshold acts as a line of realization, a space that encourages a deep reflection upon one’s actions.
This ethereal threshold is not just a gateway to the world beyond but a cosmic map that contours a journey through the gracious remains of time. The artworks are a reimagined depiction of a realm where there are no boundaries between the tangible and ethereal. What one experiences is an environment charged with the calm and serene stillness of time, and sense of continuity and resilience.
“Whatever touches my soul; that subject; that object… I express through my artwork”
Guided by observation and intuition, Anirul paints what he sees. Cultural metaphors, folklores, mythological symbolism are recurring themes in his art. But it's not just the themes but also materials and the colour palette that carries deep relevance in his practice. Ordinary subjects like trees, windows, architecture, people are converted into unique pieces of art by drawing them on rice paper with earthy pigments that provides him with one-of-a-kind luminosity, texture and flair that adds to the cultural richness of his works.
The narrative of this series does not stem from any one particular lived experience, but is rather composed of our shared memories…‘The Ethereal Threshold’ ultimately invites its spectators to see, pause, breathe, introspect, and become a part of the art.
About the Artist
Md. Anirul Islam’s (b. 1986) art weaves together the stories of people and the world around them into a visual language. The artist has brought together a series where one can feel the silent footsteps of time. With the skilled use of rich earthy pigments on rice paper, Anirul paints scenic narratives that invite viewers to explore a world of shared experiences, connection, and reflection.