MASHIUL CHOWDHURY

I am constantly inspired, perplexed, curious, amused, and awed by the elements and stories of things most of us see-and ignore-every day. The activities of human life leave traces on various surfaces-sometimes intentionally, sometimes inadvertently-but rarely does anyone realize that such markings contain within them an abstract language that can be rich and compelling. They are remnants of love, of pain, of disgust, of disorder or social or political tensions. I find such images on walls, dumpsters, sidewalks, rusty pipes, subways-just about anywhere in the urban landscape-and use digital photography to give them another life. One of the more fascinating aspects of this intimate photographic excursion into physical detail is how the borders between abstraction and representative art dissolve. The photographic eye’s meticulous, intimate scrutiny in these images reveals the rich texture and the many-splendored impressions left by urban living, nature and the elements.

Selected exhibitions

Out of Context: A Solo Exhibition, May 2014
Duke Gallery, Community Arts Center – Wallingford, PA

151st Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings, April 2014
The Philadelphia Sketch Club – Philadelphia, PA

Small Works, December 2013
Rosenfeld Gallery – Philadelphia, PA

Points of View: Perspectives on the Urban Experience, October 26 to November 27, 2013
Duke Gallery, Community Arts Center – Wallingford, PA

150th Small Oil Painting Show, April 2013
The Philadelphia Sketch Club – Philadelphia, PA

In-Person: A Celebration of the Human Form, January 13 to March 1, 2013
Community Arts Center – Wallingford, PA

Absolutely Abstract, September 2012
The Philadelphia Sketch Club – Philadelphia, PA

Small Painting Exhibition, February 2012
The Philadelphia Sketch Club – Philadelphia, PA

STRATA Photography and Painting Show, August 31 to October 1, 2011
Cerulean Arts – Philadelphia, PA

Fine Art and Creative Photography National Juried Exhibition, May 19 to June 12, 2011
MFA Circle Gallery – Annapolis, MD

First Friday at Old City: Five New Artists, October 1st, 2010
Margot and Camille Gallery – Philadelphia, PA

First Friday at Old City, September 3rd, 2010
Margot and Camille Gallery – Philadelphia, PA

Solo Exhibition, October to December 2009
Still Waters Holistic Health Therapies, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Juried Art Photography Group Exhibition, October 2009
Blink Art Gallery - Philadelphia, PA, USA

Hidden Canvas: Impression of Urban Life, September 2008
Gould Art Gallery - Ardmore, PA, USA

Juried Art Exhibit, 2005
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts - Philadelphia, PA, USA

Three Artists on Contemporary Social and Political Issues, 1984 Poster Exhibition
Dhaka University, Teacher Student Center (TSC), Dhaka, Bangladesh

Awards

Best Landscape Award, April 2014
151st Small Oil Painting Show
The Philadelphia Sketch Club – Philadelphia, PA

Honorable Mention, April 2013
150th Small Oil Painting Show
The Philadelphia Sketch Club – Philadelphia, PA

Honorable Mention, September 2012
Absolutely Abstract
The Philadelphia Sketch Club – Philadelphia, PA

Second Prize, October 2009
Juried Art Photography Exhibit
Blink Art Gallery - Philadelphia, PA, USA

Permanent Collections

Eastern Regional Medical Center
Cancer Treatment Center of America

New York Presbyterian Hospital

Capital One corporate center in Wilmington