His canvases are filled with various visible and shadowy figures. The background of most of his compositions features abstract forms, soothing colours and mellow tones. Iqbal is an Associate Professor at Department of Drawing and Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. In 1993, Iqbal was a post-graduate student of Fine Arts at Institute of Fine Arts (presently Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka). That year, he participated in the Osaka International Triennial and won a prestigious award. This was the first time that he had visited Japan. The visit was a turning point for him, as he got a scholarship in the country.