Artist Manir Mrittik presents his photographic works titled In The Realm of Ambivalence, that blend realism and surrealism. By Ayushi Sharma

Artworks can create a certain connection with distant lands and times. Hundred years from now, someone will look at a piece of art from this era, and will be amazed at how someone’s work from 2018 could express what they are feeling in 2118. It’s certainly transcendent how artwork can unify time and space. Manir Mrittik’s photography tries to reflect on that by unifying locations from the present day with images of the past. He brings an aesthetically moving mix of realism and surrealism in his works titled In The Realm of Ambivalence.

Manir says that he’s interested in exploring beauty in human life. He believes that digital cameras usually capture only the visible light for regular photography, but he wishes to do something more like capture ultraviolet, infrared or full spectrum light.

There is no real line that separates us from nature. We were born from it. He adds, “Strangely, everyone neglects that link. The lines and contour of human body tell a story of their own. Sometimes, they are like the pieces of an organic puzzle that fits together perfectly and then there are times they carry only half a meaning individually, but the full significance comes into view when they join their reflections. My show is an attempt to bring back focus to those lines. So, the idea is to work on the relationship between the body and soul, physical and spiritual thought processes within me.”

The artist who hails from Bangladesh, is quite interested in the aura of Western art and classical paintings. His relationship with art began at a very young age. Then, portraits were the most common practices and that’s where he came across the idea of how an artist captures so much more of the character in the portrait than just the face.

Manir says, “This consciousness is what gave rise to the belief that an artwork must not be limited by the dimensions in which it has been created, it is independent of the medium. I decided to pursue painting right after completing Intermediate degree. It was years later, after my post-graduation that I was introduced to photography as an art practice. It wasn’t long after that, computers and digital media paved way for my ideas to take wings.”

He believes that time spent running after pleasure and instant gratification have numbed the soul of every individual. “We have traded simplicity for complexity, clean air for smog and machines for spirit. We have corrupted the soil we tread, the air we breathe and the water we drink. The consequences are here now, cutting holes into the environment that surrounds us. We need to re-establish the link with nature,” says Manir.

Art has always been a form of expression of the unseen and the unheard. “It’s a medium of translating the multi-dimensional language of life into a two-dimensional plane by intertwining my thoughts and reality,” he adds.

The artist believes that one cannot simply classify their art as personal or public. He speaks on behalf of every artist when he says that an artist’s work is a reflection of their soul and identity .

The exhibition is on view till October 20.