The 23rd edition of ‘National Art Exhibition’ the biggest biennale art exhibition of the country kicked off at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).
To bring together artists belonging to different age groups, working in different mediums and techniques, BSA has been organising the art biennale since 1975.
The inaugural ceremony of the three week art-exhibition was held on Monday, at the National Art Gallery Auditorium of BSA. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Political Affairs Advisor HT Imam inaugurated the exhibition.
Director General of BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky presided over the programme, former Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhit, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, artist Monirul Islam were present as special guests at the ceremony.
HT Imam said in his speech as the chief guest, “I am not an art connoisseur. As an art lover, whatever I see, it seems best to me. So, every participant is the best artist to me.”
KM Khalid said in his speech, “This government has given emphasis on the practiceof art and culture. As part of this, a project for expanding National Art Gallery building and National Theatre Hall builsing of BSA has been taken at a cost of 138 million taka.”
Liaquat Ali Lucky said, “To give a better environment to the next generation, children’s involvement with art and culture is necessary. Keeping this in mind, we have communicated with 200 schools, while the students of the four schools will visit the exhibition each day.”
This year, a total of 332 artworks by 310 promising artists of the country, among those 159 paintings, 45 sculptures, 50 printmaking works, 17 crafts, 8 potteries, 37 installations and video installations and seven performance arts are being displayed at the exhibition.
Like the previous years, eight artists were awarded under different categories at the opening veremony. Each of the artists received prize money, a crest and a certificate.
Jury board comprising artists Abdus Sakoor Shah, Shamsul Wares, Ranjit Das, Dr Farida Zaman and Mohammad Yunus have selected the eight winners from 310 participating artists.
Artist Kamruzzaman received Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award worth taka two lakh, while Tanvir Mahmud, Ruhul kabir, Rafat Ahmed and Shahid Kazi received Shilpakala Academy Honourary Award worth taka one lakh in sculpture, printmaking, painting and installation categories respectively.
Besides, Uttam Kumar Talukder won the Begnal Foundation Award with prize money of taka one lakh, while Sumon Wahid received Dipa Haq Award worth taka 20 thousand and Faria Khanom won Kazi Anowar Hossian Award worth taka 50 thousand.
Artist Abdus Sakoor Shah, a member of the jury board said, “It was very difficult to choose the best one for the award. But we were bound to do that. We have selected the winners according to the average number of five judges.”
After the inauguration, the guests visited the galleries and witnessed the artworks displayed at the exhibition.
The exhibition is open to all every day from 11 am to 8 am (3 pm to 8 pm on Fridays) until July 21. Besides this, Saon Deena will present her performance art ‘Out of Mind’ every day at 6pm at National Art Plaza.
