Syful Islam | Sails of Faith, Rivers of Home

Mohammad Syful Islam (b. 1946, Meherpur, Bangladesh) is a painter, educator, and pioneer of Islamic calligraphy painting in Bangladesh. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he has worked across landscape, still life, portraiture, figurative art, Bengali and Arabic calligraphy, and modern composition. In 1982, he founded Cezanne Art School and Cezanne Art Gallery in Dhaka, mentoring generations of
artists and contributing significantly to Bangladesh's art scene. His work is inspired by Qur'anic text, the riverine landscapes and village life of Bangladesh, and a lifelong appreciation of nature.
Now based in Ontario, Canada, he continues to paint, teach, and contribute to the local arts community through exhibitions, mentorship, and art education. His practice combines disciplined composition, expressive colour, light, and calligraphic rhythm, reflecting a lifetime devoted to artistic excellence, cultural heritage, and an enduring passion for sharing art across generations.

 

Against a vivid red field, three traditional boats move forward beneath sweeping sails and a luminous form of white, black and gold. The image recalls the rivers of Bangladesh, where water has long carried people, livelihoods, memories and stories from one shore to another. The intense red creates both urgency and warmth, while the dark reflections ground the boats in a shared journey. Above them, the abstract form may be understood as light, shelter or a guiding presence - an expression of hope even when the destination is not yet visible.

Created in relation to 1001 Stories: Colours of Faith and Home, this painting speaks of resilience, trust and belonging. Home is not always a fixed place; sometimes it is the memory we carry, the faith that steadies us and the courage to keep moving. I hope viewers recognize the boats as both distinctly Bangladeshi and universally human symbols of passage, work and return.