Monsur (Designer of Clothes)
Surreal Portrait

( Size: 26" x 30" Oils )

Monsur, a man, his roots in and from the alluvial plains of Bangladesh. He graduated from university and became a clothes designer, running his own business with his close friend Kumuud. They live and work at their factory in Leicester, U.K.

The painting was constructed from a collection of his personal feelings, attributes and religious beliefs.

As you can see, Monsur is situated chest deep in water, thus symbolising and simulating the flooding and deprivation of his people, caused by heavy localised rainfall on land lying below sea level.

Subjects in the painting:

The Green Sash

Over left shoulder leading to the foreground has a twofold meaning, firstly the "Red" spot on the sash depicts the flag of Bangladesh, and secondly the sash represents the "Cloth" the fabric with which Monsur uses his creativity.

His Hair

Is how you see it, the last time I saw him his hair was down to his waistline, combined with his height and good looks, he was quite striking.

The Water Lilies

The national emblem of Bangladesh, as you can see they are painted in three stages of development, just opening, open and in full bloom. They represent the evolution of a relatively young country, paralleled with the life, experiences, longevity and happiness of Monsur.

The Waterfalls

Relate to continuity, the forces of nature and "Water" the life giver,
....it can also take it away !

The Hands

Are central at prayer, one fingertip and nail coloured red (religious connotation).

There are beads and bubbles and the illusion of animals in the clouds.

Background

Bangladesh, capital Dhaka.
Alluvial plain part of the Ganges / Brahmaputra river system.
Some 75% of the land is less than 3 metres (10 foot) above sea level. Tidal waves, triggered by the cyclones common to the area, as well as tidal surges, can and have caused devastation to river water flooding. It has an annual rainfall of 2540 mm (100 inches).
Religion: Sunni Islam 85%, Hinduism l4%.
Language: 85% Bengali, English.

E.W.Powell 14.7.98. Painting completed 1995.

Complexity comment:
If we fail to love ourselves then how can we expect to love others ? But self alone is not enough. Humans have a need to go beyond themselves and to reach out to something higher. Often this takes the form of religions or needy causes, sometimes friendships or projects. All relate to future development, our need to grow, to avoid becoming stagnant and ineffective.

Bangladesh symbolises change, the new possibilities available from a new beginning. In a similar way the new science of complexity takes a new start, a fresh look at all that has gone before. We retain that which is good from the past and discard that which is ineffective, integrating the good and building upon it in a way that we hope can solve some of the old problems of humanity, the problems of people themselves...

Monsur (Designer of Clothes) Surreal Portrait