REZAUL HOQUE
530 West 25th Street, New York, NY
Rezaul Hoque’s unique artwork was born out of an abrupt accident: while living in his university housing, he dropped one of his drawings on a heater and it briefly burned in the heater’s fire. After overcoming his initial sadness, he began to scrutinize the drawing and found its lines had become soft, creating an illusory effect. Since then, Hoque has been manipulating heat convection theory in his unique artistic process. The themes of his work are exploitation, deprivation, rights, inequality, struggle, hope, despair, and the different deepseated perceptions of life others have. Hoque employs these themes to advocate for a more equal society through his art. He conveys his thematic concerns through both subject matter and technique, as his process also comments on the feeling of being burnt by life’s struggles.
In addition to being an artist, Hoque works as a material development consultant with NGOs like OXFAM and CARE. He designs illustrations for communications and training materials on various issues like education, gender, and women’s rights. Hoque feels passionately about social justice and believes that art plays a role in bringing the plight of deprived people to the fore. This is ultimately what he aims to do with his work: spread awareness and wield it to advocate for justice. Hoque currently lives and works in Bangladesh, where he participates in the local artist community. He has exhibited in national exhibitions, the Asian Biennale, and has even donated his works to various causes for fundraising purposes.
REZAUL HOQUE ON
I use an innovative technique that consists of burning paper through heat convection. I begin with an oil pastel drawing, which I later burn in a controlled manner in a process that involves sleight of hand as well as the application of paper, thread, and other materials. This results in different shades and lines on the flip side of the sheet. The image comes out in soft golden hues to which I sometimes add acrylic or watercolor. My work is an expression of my feelings around human emotions and inequalities in our everyday life.
ORIGINAL REZAUL HOQUE ARTWORKS ON
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