Graduate Student Exchange: Md. Khairul Hasan and Liton Paul to London

In November 2013, the extension of the Inspire exchange gave the opportunity for two Graduate students, Md. Khairul Hasan and Liton Paul,  from the University of Dhaka Fine Art Faculty to spend a month as students of the Graduate programme at the Slade.

Below are their individual reflections on their experience.

The Slade School of Fine Art is luckily situated in the main campus of UCL and it is an old historical building. The old door and signature pen in the entrance and old sculptures in the building tell the rich history of the school. But Slade activities and studies are by contrast modern. Not only that, everybody in the school is busy making experiments, researching and exploring new ways of art. In this way each helps one another in the academic process. In the tutorial groups students come from different departments, and everyone from the different departments gives comment and helps one another. This whole process is done under the Slade teachers. For this each student has a good knowledge about each departments work and every student has the freedom to work in any media. The different comments from each student’s different perspective enriches ones work, and these students are coming from many different countries of the world. They comment from their own perspective, and as a result it becomes an international conversation. This international atmosphere is a remarkable characteristic of the Slade.

The teacher of a tutorial group goes out with their group of students to visit the galleries of London. They enjoy the gallery, discuss the art work with each other and that way they complete their study. They also find sculptures, installations and interesting things on the way and discuss it.

In London there are many things to find out from here and there for an artist. It is a very effective way of study I have realized. In the Slade regular workshops, seminars, tutorial group attendance and maintaining one’s own study, for every thing one has to pass a busy time.

This kind of inter connection between different departments is essential for every fine art school and the critical discussion about students work builds the foundation to be an artist for the student. The friendly guidance of teachers helps to bring out the students from their obstacles and gives them mental strength. I also realize the necessity of practicing these kind of activities in my study, and I hope my school also agrees with me.

In London there are numerous museums and art galleries. London is like a city of art. And this old city is continuously building also. The city dwellers come from different countries, here nobody is different as other, everybody is equal. But I realize interestingly people do not know much other than their own working place and necessity. And they are not interested to spend time to know about other things. Maybe it is a general character of a busy city.

In this winter season I have seen London as a rainy, clean and colorless modern city. But I have been surprised by the warm colored nature of the countryside. I can realize the color sources of British landscape painters such as Turner, and Constable. The leaves of trees are yellow, orange, red, somewhat green and violet make you charmed. In this visit I had the chance to see Stonehenge, the Roman Baths and Salisbury Cathedral in the country.

This visit has inspired me to study more and involve myself in a work filled life.

Md. Khairul Hasan
Graduate Student, Department of Painting, Dhaka University

The one-month tour to the Slade School as a part of the education exchange program, which was full of colorful experiences, was a beautiful dream to me. The education system of the Slade School fascinated me from the very first day, because it is completely different from ours. I have very keenly noticed the mutual conversation of the teachers and the students over an investigative practice of art. They form a group with a few students under the leadership of a teacher and maintain weekly programs. Such weekly programs include discussion over art work, visiting art galleries, attending seminars, and so on. There I attended some tutorial groups and have learnt a lot.

The practice of contemporary art by the Slade School seemed very important to me. Through doing and seeing work on art and talking with the students I have learnt many things which will obviously influence me tremendously in my field. Besides, every student, teacher, and staff of the Slade School is very friendly and helpful. In every sphere, when we felt, they rendered their all out supporting hands towards us. For this, I am grateful to them. Visiting the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Stonehenge, and so many art galleries as a part of this program is a very memorable chance in my life.

So I mark the tour as something very special on the way of my career. Finally, I would like to convey my gratitude to the Slade School and hope the continuity and success of such a program.

Liton Paul
Graduate Student, Department of Sculpture, Dhaka University