Depicting the struggles, sorrows, and lifestyles of the fishing community, shipbuilders, and boatmen in the coastal area of Bangladesh, a solo art exhibition of international artist Mong Mong Sho titled "Songs of Fishermen" is currently ongoing at the EMK Center, Dhanmondi in the capital.

The exhibition was inaugurated on September 30, marking the 9th founding anniversary of the EMK Center.

Joined by Alak Roy, Professor of the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Chittagong, eminent artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma, and Bishwajit Goswami, Assistant Professor at the Drawing and Painting Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, the inaugural ceremony lauded Mong Mong Sho's use of vivid colours in his thought-provoking artistic narratives.

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“Tired, sunburned face, torn out attire, a slender but strong figure fishing at sea” are some of the vital themes featured in the watercolour artworks of artist Mong Mong Sho, who was born and brought up in the coastal area of Moheskhali, a small island in the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh.

Having a deep relationship with the water and all the people or things related to water, Mong Mong Sho said: "The ‘Fishing boat’ carries the memory of generations, which is history, and it is also a story, closely related to the memory of my hometown. I want to capture the fight for existence, possibilities, and beauty in the fishermen's life.”

“Time may change the world, and maybe one day, the fishing boats will no longer exist soon, but the paintings will become a token of stories from the past,” Mong Mong Sho added, saying that he wants these paintings to be the chronicles of the struggles, possibilities and dreams in the everyday life of these fishermen in the coastal area of Bangladesh.

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His unique artistic expression has manifested his thoughts and observations on his watercolour artworks, through which he tried to bring out different aspects of humane emotions such as hope, excitement, sorrow, survival, and the fishermen's songs.

Born in a Rakhine family at Maheskhali in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, Mong Mong Sho started his art venture at an early age. After studying at the University of Chittagong, he finished his Honors (painting) and Masters (Watercolour) from Yunnan Arts University's Fine Arts Faculty in Kunming, China, where he is now a lecturer. He has participated in several local and national art contests and showcased his work in many exhibitions both in Bangladesh and abroad.

The exhibition will continue until October 20, from 10am to 7pm every day, except Friday and National Holiday.