31 MIN(s)•ENTERTAINMENT
Aishwarya Raihan
Aishwarya Raihan
Photos: Abrar Faiyaz Niloy
Bhumi Gallery in Lalmatia inaugurated “Petrichor: Impressions of Time” on <a href="https://comicvibe.com/top-12-nft-games-every-player-should-know-about-in-august-2026/” title=”Top 12 NFT games every player should know about in August 2026″>August 14, a duet art exhibition by artists Afrina Naznin and Razia Sultana. The exhibition marks the fifth art exhibition presented by Easel Art & Artists Group.
Under the theme “Solo Together”, the two artists come together in a shared artistic dialogue while retaining their distinct artistic languages and approaches. The inauguration ceremony was attended by artists Abdullah Al Bashir and Kausar Hassan Togor.
“Petrichor: Impressions of Time” is the first duet exhibition featuring artists from Easel Art & Artists Group. However, it is more than just an exhibition; it is a reflection of the artists’ journeys, human experiences, and core memories.
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Afrina Naznin’s works draw inspiration from familiar landscapes, urban fragments, changing light, and moments of everyday life that often go unnoticed. Through soft impressions, layered colours, and expressive strokes, she seeks to preserve the feeling of a moment rather than simply its physical appearance. The title “Petrichor” holds particular resonance for her—the scent of earth after rain can evoke memories that return unexpectedly and linger long after the rain has passed. In a similar way, her artworks explore how certain places, colours, and moments remain within us over time.
An architect by profession, Afrina has always been drawn to heritage sites. She has painted some of the oldest buildings in Old Dhaka in rusty hues, giving them the appearance of having just been drenched by rain. She has also skilfully painted spaces from Beauty Boarding, one of her favourite heritage sites. Her charcoal and pastel works include depictions of Panam Nagar, along with other beloved heritage buildings and architectural elements from across the country. Afrina is particularly drawn to the chaos of cities, which inspires her to create cityscapes rather than focus on rural landscapes.
Afrina has also created vibrant yet soothing paintings of shampans, a traditional type of boat in Bangladesh. She says, “I love shampans so much that I can even draw them with my eyes closed.” The artist has explored several mediums, including watercolour, charcoal, and pastel on paper, as well as acrylic on canvas.
A painting can remind us of something without telling us what to remember. Razia Sultana’s work occupies that space. Her paintings do not offer a fixed story. Instead, they leave fragments for viewers to notice—a figure, a colour, a familiar shape, or a movement that feels almost remembered. Like petrichor, her work can suddenly bring an old place or moment back to us, leaving room for recognition, imagination, and personal memory.
Razia, as an artist, enjoys experimenting with different mediums, but oil on canvas remains her most cherished medium. The artworks she has displayed in this exhibition are mostly figure paintings and abstract expressions. Her “Manojangle” series reflects the universe that exists within a person. In Razia’s words, “We run after every other thing and people, but we hardly take a closer look inside ourselves. We do not put enough effort into discovering ourselves. ‘Manojangle’ thus defines the jungle-like enormity inside our minds.”
Through her figure paintings, Razia demonstrates her artistic abilities by experimenting with light, shadow, and challenging poses. Her use of colour creates contrast and definition, resulting in bright, dreamlike images that leave viewers wondering.
In short, the exhibition brings together two accomplished artists with distinct perspectives and artistic journeys, offering a reflection on how art can enrich the soul. “Petrichor: Impressions of Time” will remain open for visitors at Bhumi Gallery until August 21, daily from 3:00pm to 8:00pm.
