In a small village located in Agailjhara thana, Barisal- Rajihar. the story of Kuntal Baroi unfolds. Here, in the simplicity of ponds, lush fields, and the comforting presence of family. Growing up as the son of a dedicated teacher, he had little academic expectation along with the joys of rural life. But life was not all about books; they also had a farm to look after.
His family suggested that he should study hotel management abroad, but his father wanted him to stay at home with academics. Then, a twist came from his cousin studying in Dhaka University. Suddenly, Kuntal found himself diving into art, even though he wasn’t a natural. He gave it a shot, taking classes and coaching to improve his skills. Eventually, he landed in Jagannath University for statistics, but his heart still pined for art.
Fate intervened again, leading him to UODA, where he could study fine arts. Money was tight, but with Mom’s support for tuition, Kuntal jumped in. At first, he just wanted a good job in graphic design, but life had other plans for him.
His journey into the art world wasn’t smooth sailing. Kuntal faced challenges and setbacks, but he never gave up. Slowly but surely, his grades improved, and his passion for art grew. In 2010, something incredible happened. One of his charcoal artworks sold for a whopping 25k! That was the boost he needed to dive headfirst into his creation. With the help of a teacher, they even opened an art studio called “Studio48.”
Kuntal’s art wasn’t just about pretty pictures. He wanted to send a message, to make people think about the messy, complicated lives we all lead.
Inspired by artists like Mark Bradford and Anselm Kiefer, he experimented with different mediums, from charcoal to installations.
His big break came in 2016 when his street-inspired installation got selected for the Asian Art Biennale. It won an honorable mention, driving Kuntal into the spotlight. For him, art isn’t just about making things look nice. It’s a journey, a way to express himself and challenge society’s norms. With every stroke of his brush or splash of color, Kuntal invites us to see the world differently, to question, to wonder.
As he gears up for his next exhibition, Kuntal isn’t stopping anytime soon. He’s always experimenting, always pushing the boundaries of what art can be. And through it all, he’s determined to keep spreading his message, one masterpiece at a time. His experiments have no specific destination, he establishes it during his journey. He believes,
“Art itself is a journey, and it evolves within that journey.”
Kuntal Baroi’s journey from a quiet village in Bangladesh to the forefront of the art world is a demonstration to the power of perseverance and passion. His story vibrates with all those who dare to dream and strive for greatness, regardless of the challenges they face.
With each creation, he invites us to pause, reflect, and embrace the beauty of the world in all its complexity. In a world often overshadowed by materialism and conformity, Kuntal’s art serves as a sign of authenticity and rebellion, challenging us to see beyond the surface and get into the depths of our shared humanity. His message remains clear: the journey of art is as important as the destination, and it is within this journey that true meaning and fulfillment are found.
