Unappreciated Art: Sculptures of Freedom Fighters Sold to Scrap Yard
Amirul Mominin Joshi, a professor in the Department of Graphic Design, Crafts, and Art History at Rajshahi University (RU), spent years creating two sculptures of freedom fighters, only to face the heartbreaking reality of being unable to install them anywhere. With no alternative, he sold the sculptures to a scrap metal shop for a mere 9,400 taka, despite having invested about 60,000 taka in their creation.
The sculptures, towering at about 18 feet and crafted with iron beams, SS pipes, and steel, now lie in front of a shop named Khokon Iron House in Binodpur Bazar. The shop owner, Khokon, who purchased the pieces from a scrap metal trader, has priced them at 200,000 taka. If unsold, he plans to dismantle them and sell them as scrap iron. "The sculptures are rust-proof and structurally sound, but if no one buys them, they’ll have to be broken down," Khokon explained.
Reflecting on the situation, Professor Joshi expressed his anguish: "I created these sculptures in my studio in Meherchandi over several years. It’s deeply disheartening that I had to sell them for scrap. This is a difficult time for artists. I’ve made or supervised the creation of over 200 sculptures, including several of Bangabandhu, across the country. Seeing sculptures being vandalized on television, I realized there’s no place for these works anymore. It’s unbearable as an artist."
Joshi further revealed that he had instructed the trader to dismantle the sculptures, but they were instead left intact in front of the shop, drawing attention and sparking calls to the artist. "Every call I receive only deepens my pain," he shared.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by artists in preserving and showcasing their creations, particularly when historical or cultural works fail to find a space for recognition or appreciation. The fate of the sculptures, now waiting for a buyer, remains uncertain, mirroring the struggles of artistic expression in a time of diminishing support.
