21st national arts exhibition: from conclusion to inception

shilpakala academy, university of dhaka
24 may – 13 june, 2015
photos: mizanur rahman khoka

translated by Nabila Idris

The National Arts Exhibition held annually in Dhaka, Bangladesh accurately represents the current moods and realities among artists influenced by national and international trends. Titled ‘From Conclusion to Inception’, the 21st National Arts Exhibition was jointly organised by Shunno Art Space and the National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, which has been organising and hosting the biennale since 1975. Even a decade ago, the mediums of videography and installation art were not as popular; printed art pieces are usually called the people’s art medium, because of the relative popularity of this medium compared to paintings and sculptures. But, the current reality is exactly the opposite, as this year’s exhibition saw painting, sculptures, video and audio works, as well as installations merging closely. Artists exhibited at the show chose themes that reflected their responsibilities to society. The epithet ‘art for art’s sake’ appears to have all but disappeared. There are several innovative art works that depict, or illustrate a narrative on and around, the subject of extreme violence, binding technology and art together to voice the globalised national political stasis. Such an interest in, and portrayal of current affairs by the artists is undoubtedly fantastic for society’s progress.

The 21st National Arts Exhibition was inaugurated by Chief Guest Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit. Culture Minister Asaduzzaman Noor and renowned artist Rafiqun Nabi were also present at the inauguration as special guests. The welcome speech was given by the Director of the academy’s fine arts division, Muhammad Anwar Hossain and the ceremony was presided over by the Director of the National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, Llaquat Ali Lucky. The National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts gave out awards in ten categories at the beginning of its three-week-long run. All of the award recipients were young, among whom artist Ruhul Karim Rumee won the grand prize. Mithun Kumar Saha, Ruhul Amin Tarek and Shimul Saha received honourable mentions. Russel Kanti Das received the Society for Promotion of Bangladesh Art award and Mohammad Abdul Momen Milton received the Bengal Foundation Award. The AB Bank award was given to Asif Al Karim Bhuiyan, while Iffat Rezwana Riya, Md Sanuallah and Habiba Aktar Papiya received the Language Fighter Gaziul Huq award, the Deepa Huq award, and the Azizunnessa award respectively. The exhibition showcased two hundred and seventy-three works of art by two hundred and sixty-one artists from Shunno Art Space, National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, and pieces from the valuable private collection of many famous artists. Other than that, over two hundred printed pictures of one hundred and thirty artists from across the nation have also been exhibited. The display encompassed works from the time of the guru of prints of Bangladesh, Safiuddin Ahmed, to the youngest artists of contemporary times, acting as an illustrated history of the medium. The diversity and depth of the works showcased at the National Arts Exhibition reveals that the biennale has indeed become a platform, encouraging exchange of ideas between artists, critics and art enthusiasts.

Leading Image : Mohammad Abdul Momen Milton. Ekti Cacher Jonno. Mixed media installation 12 x 12 x 12 feet. 2015

shilpakala academy, university of dhaka24 may – 13 june, 2015photos: mizanur rahman khoka translated by Nabila Idris The National Arts Exhibition held annually in Dhaka, Bangladesh accurately represents the current moods and realities among artists influenced by national and international trends. Titled ‘From Conclusion to Inception’, the 21st National Arts Exhibition was jointly organised by…