04 Feb Hold on my friend (Embrace-2)

A site-responsive installation work by Jewel Chakma from Bangladesh during the 9th episode of Uronto residential art exchange program in naogaon, Rajshahi, BD.

Skeleton is a base of an animals & human body. Without Skeleton and bones a figure is totaly incomplete. Without it, there’s no value of a body. Over and above, there’s no meaning of life without bone, it is equal to death. Same as, without doors, Windows, pillars and proper structure a building seems like a boneless body. Dubalhati Palace used to be very lively once upon a time. But without proper care and curation its destroying or ruining day by day. If we want our culture and heritage to go long, we have to make it sustainable.

Jewel Chakma intended to use the natural elements around the house to create a work which will merge into the space with a strong message inside. Using the coconut leaf as the core element he wived his reactions and realizations about the palace. Jewel felt that the palace is standing without the skeleton and can not hold on for longer.

weaving the green young leaves he created the skeletons which is metaphorically trying to put together the fragile structure. the ribs are trying to hold on to the last existence with all its strength. Artist also played with the light and shed around the palace, so he placed his structures in empty chambers where it creates a moving drawing of shadow with the shifting daylight.

During the entire process, Chakma collaborated with a lot of local kids through small scale workshops. In the process he created sub elements with the same material to make interactions with the local, like simple flute, crowns for the kids, hand watch, finger ring, all made with leafs only.

Jewel Chakma is a visual artist from Chottogram, Bangladesh. His concept of work is based on human psychology, humanity, social responsibility, relationship between man and nature, current situations of political and non-political views and violence.