Artist Statement:

Md Tokon is in love with color and in love with the cities he grew up in. His destination is unknown. But he is ready to walk on his land as long as he is not tired. Born in Bangladesh, he grew up in a neighborhood not known for supporting artistic endeavors. But with the support of his family, he soon realized his dream. As a teenager he was inspired to pursue a career as an artist. When he was about 11 he made his first real painting. City life, the surrounding atmosphere and social structure have made a great impact on him. Throughout the canvas he has been deeply influenced by nature. His works are pure abstract and have a great touch of impressionism. His main focus is to bring to the canvas the expressive colors and Melodious area. In his work he apply many layers of paint, using gesture, the breath of emotion, and an internal sense of color.
His paintings describe the story of nature, human emotions and it communicates in a mysterious way. Space plays a significant role in his works, sometime interior space, inner space, or landscape. His works are closely connected to dreams and illusions. In his use of color, he has displayed a certain romantic concern for vivacious, lively hues and soulful texture. All his paintings have a significant abstract expression focused on the depiction of emotions rather than objects. Tokon's works also convey an insight into life and a spiritual attachment. The Art Students League of New York Instructor Ronnie Landfield wrote: "Md Tokon is a dedicated, talented, and hard working painter. His paintings are on a high level of accomplishment, consistent, well made, and color. His work is expressive of both nature and his own personal experience. His paintings have an appeal to all types of viewers."

Md Tokon is emerging painter who has been living in New York for over ten years, and has earned a signi cant reputation as a painter. He obtained his B.A. Art & Communication Design at The City University of New York, B.F.A. Drawing and Painting (3 years), The Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. Also with the help of mentors, he is practicing painting at Art Students League of New York under Ronnei Land led, Mariano del Rosario & Larry Poons. His most noted artistic influences are Late Monet, Philip Guston, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, Anselm Kiefer, Joan Mitchell, and Cy Twombly. Most of these painters favored large canvasses, dramatic colors, and loose brushwork. Their work inspired and inclined him towards his choice of style. He likes the action, freedom, power, strength, excitement, and most of all the emotion that color and line can communicate. His paintings are in the collections of the The City University of New York; Grace Institute, New York; Tower 49, New York; Chung Design, Memphis Tennessee; Le Pain Quotidien, Soho, New York; Clareo Partners, Chicago, IL, Corporate Art, LLC New Jersey, Pennsylvania & included in many gallery and important private collections internationally.

Bio

EDUCATION:

The Art Students League of New York (Studio/Continue Education - Under Ronnei Land led, Mariano del Rosario, Larry Poons)
B.A. Art & Communication Design, The City University of New York
Associate Degree Art & Advertising Design, The City University of New York
B.F.A. Drawing and Painting (3 years), The Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University

AWARD, GRANTS:

Red Dot Award (Best Work) at the Art Students League of New York, 2010
Red Dot Award (Best Work) at the Art Students League of New York, 2009
Grant Prize from AfterSputnik Art Project, New York, 2009

ART FAIRS:

2009: The A ordable Art Fair New York
2009: International Art Expo, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York

SOLO EXHIBITION:

2010: BREATHING COLOR - Grace Art Gallery, Grace Institute New York
2009: DESTINATION UNKNOWN - Tower 49 Sky Lobby Gallery, New York
2008: Behr-Thyssen Gallery, SOHO TriBeca, New York
2006: The City University of New York, 2006

SELECTED RECENT GROUP EXHIBITION:

2010:
Red Dot Show, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York
Representation by Corporate Art, LLC New Jersey & Pennsylvania
Asian Heritage Month Art Show at District Council 37, New York
Annual Concours Show at Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York
Stratched Canvas Group Show, Dhaka Art Club, Bangladesh
'Small work' Art Show at Manhattan Borough President Gallery, New York

2009:
Clareo Partners Sponsors 'Silent Auction Art Show' Chicago, IL
Red Dot Show, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York
18th National Art Exhibition at the National Art Gallery, Dhaka,Bangladesh
'Small work' Art Show at Manhattan Borough President Gallery, New York
Annual Concours Show at Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York
Holiday Art Show at Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, the Art Students League of New York
The AfterSputnik Art Project, New York

TEACHING/ LECTURE/ WORKSHOP GIVEN:

2010: Lecture & workshop, Grace Institute, New York
2010: Lecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, Nagpur University, India
2009-2010: Instructor Ronnie Land eld class Assistant, The Art Students League of New York

PRESENT POSITION:

Freelance Studio Artist & Graphics Designer at The City University of New York (Central Office)