Source: documenta14.de
Zainul Abedin (29 December 1914-28 May 1976) was a Bangladeshi visual artist who is appreciated for his paintings highlighting the significant famines in Bengal during British colonialism.
Famine Sketches depict figures that are suffering and in need of resources like water and shelter. Each figure is displayed at the most vulnerable parts of their lives. Many of them are carrying buckets for water or baskets for food. The art work shows the fragility of the human body and its desire to pursue life in despite of being in difficult circumstances. Abedin masterfully captures the position and emotion of each figure.
His motivations derive from the fact that he had lived through the colonial period and observed World War II and other military operations that created harsh conditions for people in many places around the world.
The art is important today because it is easy to imagine people with COVID-19 as the ones who are in need in place of the people depicted in the artist’s work.