As the Government College of Art and Craft hosts its 159th edition of ‘Parampara’, the annual art exhibition showcasing the myriads of young talents, the almost century-old Academy of Fine Arts becomes the sanctum sanctorum of creative minds.

Hosting for the first time at the Academy of Fine Arts from 4-10 March, this ongoing art exhibition showcases the works of students from different years and departments. Displayed across the exhibition halls are myriad splashes of colours, portraits, art installations, sketches, sculptures, and much more.

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The Statesman got talking to one of the students, Sohana Pervin, a third-year undergraduate. “Painting for me is simply not just colour on paper. Designs like motifs and the mandala become an integral part of my composition.” Hailing from Domkal, Murshidabad, she never got any formal education in painting until Class 11. Influenced by her uncle’s love for painting when she was a child, she first started exploring her knack for it by doing mehndi designs. “I got admission to this college on my second attempt,” she said.

Her painting titled ‘Emendation of Existence’ this year in the exhibition demonstrates the many lineaments of human expression within the four walls of the restroom as it confers a measure of concealment and privacy. Her favourite elements to work with are gel pens, acrylics, and watercolours. Her last year’s piece entitled ‘Enlightenment’, which was done through and through using a black gel pen, was loved by all, resulting in getting more than one order for the same art piece.

“Last year, I depicted myself and my vision of how I perceive design through my art. It was inside a room, but rather than just simple walls or windows, it was designed all around in an array of patterns and forms.”

To how she handles a creative block, Sohana replies, “I simply keep that piece aside, start on a new one, and get back to it when I have re-envisioned how I want to approach it further.”

For now, she beams with excitement as she looks forward to the future, where she can exhibit more of her work.