Artist Khurshid Saleem Enjoys Solo Show at Long Island’s Bayard Cutting Arboretum

The vibrantly colored abstract paintings of Khurshid Saleem are incredibly beautiful, unforgettable, and presently on view at Bayard Cutting Arboretum on Long Island. Khurshid’s world-famous art has won multiple awards in numerous countries and draws the eye via use of bold colors, unique shapes, and a wealth of patterns and textures embedded into the canvas.

Saleem graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University and then moved to the United States in the mid-1980s to continue his education at New York University (NYU). To date, his work has been featured in hundreds of exhibitions across seventeen countries.

The Bayard exhibition is his 82nd solo show. Despite the otherworldly appearance of his pieces, the art of Khurshid Saleem, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in the USA, is deeply influenced by nature.

“I paint the spirit of nature,” Khurshid explained. “Summers in New York and Bangladesh are similar and both places are by the ocean. My works are abstract expressionism; they create an illusion comprised of colors and dimensional forms to create a feeling of depth in following the spirit of nature. I find inspiration in the tiniest detail of nature — a drop of rainwater, a falling autumn leaf, a speak of white in a blue sky…I look for rhythmic-structured sequences for feelings of pleasure and beauty from natural creations.”

Nature is certainly on display at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, a 691-acre state park that is home to a historic house and beautifully manicured gardens and lawns. The public is welcome to stroll around the properly and even have lunch at a cozy café located in the 1886 mansion that was built for William Bayard Cutting (scheduled tours of the house are available).

Khurshid Saleem — who lives locally — has long enjoyed strolling through the scenic gardens and also attended summer concerts and art exhibitions at the location. Whilst attending one of these events, Khurshid met the art curator at Bayard, submitted his works, and was accepted for a solo show through June 2, 2024.

In total, thirty-three works are on display in Khurshid Saleem’s “Dimensional Abstraction” series. Since its installation, the show has attracted many guests, including those who just happened to stumble upon the show whilst enjoying a day at the garden. Although Khurshid will enjoy other shows in 2024 — followed by several international solo shows in 2025 — Bayard Cutting Arboretum is a particularly special and memorable location. Declared Khurshid:

“My favorite thing about showing at this location is that the visitors are able to enjoy my paintings and express their happiness.”