Born 17 August 1932
Died 15 August 2020 (aged 87)
Resting place Banani Graveyard
Murtaja Baseer was a Bangladeshi painter and artist known for his abstract realism themed works. He was also a poet, author, researcher, numismatist, and filmmaker. He was awarded the Ekushey Padak, Bangladesh’s second highest civilian honor, in 1980, and the Swadhinata Padak, or Independence Day Award, Bangladesh’s highest state award, in 2019.
- Independence Day Award (2019)
- Ekushey Padak (1980)
- Sultan Padak, Narail (2003)
- Star Lifetime Award (2016)
- Best Cover Design, National Book Centre, Dhaka (1976)
- Academy Award by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (1975)
- Prix National, Festival of Paintings, Cagnes-sur Mer, France (1973)
Abstract Realism
Murtaja Baseer (17 August 1932 – 15 August 2020) was a Bangladeshi painter and artist known for his abstract realism themed works.
Eruption- 8
Murtaja Baseer, know for his social commentary through his arts, he painted “Eruption-8” in 1998. Living in a time of no freedom of expression, he expressed his concerns through painting. He created a world of dystopia and revealed a world sinking in deceit, oppression, and lie. Without trying to give false hope, he paints the mirror image of a power-driven society. He paints the world as it is and reinforces the sense of hopelessness. “Eruption” is his way of shaking us by the shoulder and waking us from sleep. It’s his plea for help, the quest for justice and through this, he asks as to question the existing system to create a better tomorrow.
The Wing - 12
“The Wing-12” is one of the 37 paintings from the “The Wings” series. This 1998 painting by Murtaja Baseer is his search for truths, beauty, romanticism, and spirituality. Zooming into the wings of the butterfly he paints the splendor and colors of objects on a larger scale. Hiding behind colors and grandeur he directs our attention to the tiny details we often fail to see. He captures the extraordinary in the ordinary, brings out truths that are hidden otherwise, and inspires us to be more observant.
His painting speaks gravity. He shows us our inability of seeing right. Through the bold use of color and confident brush strokes, he captures the reality in his artistic manner.
