BY the nearby banks of the Shadarghat launch terminal workers are repairing damaged boats and making new ones - a color lithograph by the young and promising artist Roosevelt Benjamin D' Rozario. His first solo printmaking exhibition started at the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka on December 9.

Prominent artist Mohammad Klbria was present as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony while it was presided over by Mahmudul Huque, Director. Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. Mohammad Kibria. in his speech said. The situation of my health is not so good these days, so I rarely attend

any exhibitions. But only for Roosevelt I came today. His works are good. I am sure you will like it." In her speech. France Lasnier, Director. Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, who was also present at the occasion as honorable guest, said, "I appreciate Roosevelt's works. His realistic subjects and human figures are good for commercial purpose and publicity. His works reminds me of the Encyclopedia and the’Japanese woodblock printing."

Most of Roosevelt's subjects are realistic like human figures. landscapes, portrait. Mainly he uses woodcut and color lithographs. He also uses linocut, dry point, etching and aquatint. Some of his paintings reflects subjects like the domestic animals and landscapes, some are of boats, especially re-pairing and mending of launches and boats. He also has a large collection of portraits, some self-portraits with funny expressions and portraits of ol^

He uses light shades of Maroon. Green and Muddy-Brown colours along with dark contrasts of Black. Brown and Green. Some portraits and landscapes are in simple Black and White where he played with light & darkness.

Roosevelt used some uncommon subjects, in one of the woodcuts titled The Subject of Press Room he drew the workers working at the press. He used yellow and Muddy-Brown In it. which give the work a very impressive contrast. In another woodcut he drew the shops

selling the leftovers of the fast food shops and titled it - Poor Fast Food Shop.

Roosevelt's works proves the hardwork that he has put in to his exhibition. He is still studying at the MFA at the Institute of Fine Arts and has a long way to go in his life. His works are inspiring and shining. He should stick to his work and bring out something new for future. The exhibition will remain open to all from 3.00pm -8.00pm till December 16.