The atmosphere at Safiuddin Shilpalay in Dhanmondi was electric on the evening of May 2 as the newly founded art collective called Choukaath inaugurated its first group exhibition.

The ceremony was led by artist Rafiqun Nabi. Artist Biren Shome and Dr Farida Zaman, Syeda Fouzia Hossain, chairman of Rivera Group, were also present as the show officially opened to the art lovers, especially the youth.

In his speech, Nabi praised the young artists' spirit, remarking, "The artists are still students, they are still learning, and they have a great zeal to keep going." He encouraged them to stay rooted in both academic discipline and creative freedom while experimenting with different styles. 

"The showcase is an interesting mix, it is admirable how young women are coming together to show their work," remarked Luva Nahid Choudhury, the director general of Bengal Institute. "The event was clearly more than an exhibition, a celebration of youth, courage, and creative defiance."

The exhibition featured multidisciplinary works by Astha Anindita, Kazi Sadida Bushra, Ramisa Zara Rouf, and Mantaqa Tahiyat -- four women who have nurtured their art practice over the last few years. The exhibition paid homage to Choukaath's core philosophy of the search for creative liberty.

"We created Choukath to be a space where artists can move beyond the marketability of their work and simply enjoy the creative process," remarks Anindita, one of the founders of Choukaath. "We believe in making art for the sake of creation, and we aspire to be the platform that ensures that freedom."

The exhibition featured multidisciplinary works, including pen on ink, charcoal drawings, acrylic, watercolour, etc. The young batch had also worked on installation features, which explored the complex themes of childhood and the search for identity.

Being a student at the Department of Media, Communication & Journalism in North South University, Bushra worked with the concepts of mental health, uncertainty and human connections. In her works, such as "Aftermath" and "Dancing Rites," jittery strokes echo emotional residue. Her charcoal series on anxiety featured internal conflicts, capturing uneasiness in smudged strokes.

Mantaqa, a student of the University of Development, Alternative Department of Fine Arts, considers art as her first language. "Daini kothon" (Witch's Tale), "State of Dismemberment" were some of her notable works. Her installation captivated the audience as it explored the deep wounds of childhood.

Ramisa's collection explored innate creativity, using mediums like ink and watercolour. A graduate of Parsons School of Design (New York), the artist and designer described her process as being driven by intuition and precision. Her pieces included works in linocut print, oil pastel on paper and mixed media on paper.

Astha is a student of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. Her works delved into themes of identity and fantasy. Using mixed media, Indian wash techniques, and bright watercolour. "Identity," "Dwishotta", and "Obscure," were some of her prominent works that touched on the themes of duality of self in the age of globalisation.

"These are all good works, all very experiential. You can see they're committed," commented visitor Sonya Binte Hasan, who is also an artist.

The exhibition ran till May 6.