DHAKA: It was Larry Towell, the world renowned Canadian photographer, presenting his picture essays to the viewers at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) on Wednesday evening.
It was a great opportunity especially for the students of the university to see the works of a Magnum associated artiste who had worked on the life of commoners living mostly in the conflict zones across the world.
Larry displayed his works on the peoples of Palestine and Israel, Afghanistan and El Salvador at ‘Artist Talk’, a program organised by IUB.
He also displayed his world famous works on the Mennonite migrant workers in Mexico, among other pieces.
The photographer, who is also honoured as a poet and an oral historian, told the audience that he believes to uphold the truth rather than maintaining objectivity.
Larry’s programme was also attended by Pathshala South Asian Media Institute Principal Dr Shahidul Alam, who is also a world-famed photographer; IUB Vice-Chancellor Professor M Omar Rahman, IUB Board of Trustees Chairman Rashed Chowdhury and School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Dean Dr Zakir Hossain Raju.
“It is our duty to create an opportunity for the students to introduce the art and literature of the world,” said Professor M Omar Rahman.
“We have created this environment to present the works of Larry Towell, who has earned reputation globally by his photographic works,” the VC said adding that they want to continue to arrange this sort of programmes for the students so that they can enrich themselves.
According to Rashed Chowdhury, the university authorities always work to make a tie between the internationally recognised people with its students.
He also said that they had arranged the event as a part of their regular programmes of presenting the works of world famous artistes.
He hoped that meeting with Larry Towell will help the students learn more about the life and the world as well.
Dr Zakir Hossain Raju said that they had invited Larry on their campus so that students can enjoy some of the masterpieces of the photographer who has earned widespread reputation for his picture essays.
Born in 1953 in Ontario in Canada Larry Towell grew up in a large family in rural place. During studies in visual arts at Toronto’s York University, he was given a camera and taught how to process black and white film.
A stint of volunteer work in Kolkata in 1976 provoked Larry to photography.
In 1984, he became a freelance photographer and writer focusing on the dispossessed, exiled and peasant rebellion.
However, Larry Towell’s works are on display at the ongoing Chobi Mela VIII, to end on February 5.
BDST: 2200 HRS, FEB 04, 2015
