Samsul Alam Helal
Dhaka 1000-1200, Bangladesh
Samsul Alam Helal is a documentary photographer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He completed his graduation in photography from Pathshala South Asian Media Institute.
His recent work Love Studio depicts the portraits of a working class community where an old studio in Dhaka transforms into a neighborhood venue to represent the dreams, hopes and desires of the factory workers, their families and unemployed neighbors. In his another portrait series on Hijra (transgender community), the camera homes in on the unfolding drama, nothing but a short razzmatazz, that reads like a narrative, and exotic hieroglyphics as the protagonists represented make dancing and singing for an absent audience, or as an end in itself.
Helal wants to tell the stories of people and especially the groups of minority and the neglected class. Through his photographs, he explores their identity, dreams and longings to raise our curiosity and question. He often likes to stage in a studio setup where dramatic moods and vibrant colors are loudly presented. In oppose to mere fiction, Helal’s work represents a reality in an alternate space.
His work has been exhibited at Bronx Museum, New York 2016, Dhaka Art Summit 2016, Noorderlict Photo Festival Netherland 2015, Encounter Da Imagem, Portugal 2015, Singapore photo festival 2014, Eye On Bangladesh 2014 New York, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art 2013 Sunderland, Chobi Mela International Photography Festival 2013 Bangladesh, Festival of Promenades Photographiques 2013 France, 8th Angkor Photo Festival 2012 Cambodia, Delhi Photo Festival 2011 India, Longitude Latitude 4 An Art Happening in Old Dhaka 2010 Bangladesh, Senses Seven at Dhaka Art Centre 2012, Bangladesh. His work has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines, Such as CNN, 6mois, Ojodepez, Udvikling, Depart, Daily Star, Republica etc.
2016 - Joop Swart Masterclass 2016
- Advertising
- Architecture
- Corporate
- Editorial
- Environment
- Portrait