New Age | Galleries reopen exhibitions as situation improves

Art gallery curators and coordinators in the capital reported on Sunday that they had reopened their exhibitions and other regular activities as the situation of the country improved.

They said that they were also concerned about attacks on artworks in public and private places after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5.

Bengal Shilpalay, Drik, Dwip Gallery, Kalakendra and Safiuddin Shilpalay reopened their ongoing art exhibitions while Alliance Française de Dhaka, Galleri Kaya and Gallery the Illusions, among others, announced their forthcoming exhibitions.  

Drik organised an exhibition tilted Cartoone Bidrho and reopening their postponed exhibition titled Bangladesh Press Photo Contest 2024 on August 16.

‘We open our gallery to pay tribute to martyrs of Student Movement Against Discrimination and improve the situation to go for regular activities,’ said Drik’s curator and general manager ASM Rezaur Rahman.

Bengal Shilpalay reopened their exhibition titled Monon Khonon by artist Wakilur Rahman which would continue until 14 September, 2024 while Dwip Gallery resumed Kazi Monir’s solo exhibition titled Akaitab from August 18.

Kalakendra resumed Javed Jalil’s solo exhibition titled Synthetic Reality after the curfew was withdrawn.

‘We are opening our gallery as the situation of the country is improving and artists are gathering for works, and discussions. The student-led mass uprising has created new hopes but we are also concerned about attacks on sculptures and murals,’ said Kalakendra’s curator artist Wakilur Rahman.

Alliance Française de Dhaka will organise a group art exhibition titled PSA: Beyond the Gaze, featuring works by Aniruddha Sarkar, Arshadul Hoque Rocky, Ashima Raizada, Jatin Gulati, Kunga Tashi Lepcha, Rinoshan Susiman, and Ritika Sharma on August 29, said a press release.

Besides, Galleri Kaya and Gallery the Illusions scheduled their forthcoming exhibition in September.  

Bangladesh Shilpkala Academy postponed their activities due to resignations of its director general Liaquat Ali Lucky on August 12.

‘We have postponed our scheduled activities due to the resignation of the director general, we hope our activities will resume when the new director general joins,’ said the BSA public relations officer Sabina Yesmin Puthi.