The first edition of the Annual Student Art Show (ASAS) organised by Funun Arts, a UAE-based art group, on November 4-6 at De Montfort University at Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A total of 320 student artists from 60 nationalities participated in the show, which was inaugurated by Sheikh Suhail Al Zarooni, a prominent businessman from the UAE, Emirati collector and Guinness Book World Record holder, and Ahmad Al Awadhi Rukni, an eminent Emirati artist.
The founder of Funun Arts Shiba Khan and Farah Khan initiated this large scale of Student Art Show and the theme of this event was 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
From Bangladesh, 26 self-taught artists participated in this event under the mentorship of Mahfuzur Rahman through Mahfuz Canvas. Jannatul Fardous Meghla won the first prize in the thirrd Category. Her painting ‘Give Clean Water’ expressed the SDG Goal 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation.
Meghla is doing her BSc in Architecture at North South University. She said it was totally unexpected for her that she can win such a prestigious award from a foreign country and that this award gives her immense motivation towards painting.
Meghla expressed her gratitude to her parents for the support they offered and Mahfuz Canvas for the platform.
Another Bangladeshi calligraphy artist Shamsunnahar Tasnim won the ‘Consolation Award’ at the event where she expressed her Arabic Calligraphy on Goal 3 - Good Health and Well Being. She is studying at 10th grade at Jannatul Banat Madrasha.
Mahfuzur Rahman received both awards at De Montfort University Dubai.
He said, “Alhamdulillah this is a proud and inspiring moment for Bangladeshi self-taught artists as it has been proved that those having talent can achieve such outstanding prestigious award from among 60 nationalities.”
Mahfuz Canvas is trying to provide self-taught artists in Bangladesh, who are always under-privileged, with an equal platform to flourish. As a result of providing an international platform on the occasion of the 51st Victory Day of Bangladesh, Mahfuz Canvas arranged another group exhibition consisting of 50 Bangladeshi self-taught artists on December 12-19 at Dubai International Art Center in the UAE.
