A group exhibition BRIDGING CULTURES : celebrating 50 years of UAE-Bangladesh diplomatic relationship through art.
On view from 20 May until 24 May, 2023, Inaugurated on 20th May, at American University in Dubai (AUD), by His Excellency Mohammed Abu Zafar, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates & Permanent Representative to IRENA. An Art camp was also held during the day with 10 Bangladeshi artists at the same venue. Both events have been organized by the Consulate General of Bangladesh, Dubai and Northern Emirates, in association with Bangladesh Art Week and American University in Dubai (AUD).
The title itself celebrates the existing friendship between two countries UAE and Bangladesh. UAE was the first Gulf country to recognize Bangladesh and establish diplomatic relations after its independence. Bangladesh opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi on March 23, 1974. Bongobondhu Shaikh Mujibur Rahman visited the UAE in 1974 and laid the foundation of the relations between the two countries. The most important visit from the UAE side was that of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1984.
In celebrating this unique moment of friendship, in spite of cultural diversity in endowments, Bridging Cultures features 11 Bangladeshi artists and 5 Emirati artists. Participating artists are – JAMAL AHMED | KANAK CHANPA CHAKMA | SHAHJAHAN AHMED BIKASH | JAMAL HOSSAIN ANISUZZAMAN | DULAL CHANDROW GAIN | NAZIA ANDALEEB PREEMA | ABIDA HOSSAIN | HASURA AKHTER RUMKY | MD. SAJEDUL ISLAM | SUBORNA MORSHEDA. And from UAE -DR. MOHAMED YOUSIF | NUJOOM ALGHANEM | JASSIM AL AWADHI AFRA SALMAN AL SUWAIDI | RASHID ABDALLA ALMULLA . This show is Curated by Bangladesh Art Week Founder Niharika Momtaz and coordinated by Imdadul Haque Soofi. Members of this group have exhibited in prestigious events such as Venice Biennale, Documenta, Alliance Francis Dhaka. Asia biennale Sikka, RAK Fine Art Festival etc.
These Invited artists represent the burgeoning, vibrant, socially conscious and bold community of artists that live and work throughout Bangladesh and the UAE. As well as the artists considerable facility with materials, their strength emerges through the diverse forms of representation that their work encompasses; whilst reflecting their own distinct perceptions of a unique geographical environment.
The event is closed by Mohammed Mahtabur Rahman (Nasir) CIP, Chairman of Al Haramain Perfume and industries and NRB Bank on 24th May. HE B. M. Jamal Hossain, Consul General Of Bangladesh, Dubai and Northern Emirates mentioned “We assure you this is the first of many more such events to come.“ While Niharika Momtaz, curator and founder of Bangladesh Art Week said “ Bangladesh Art Week is very happy to be part of this event to celebrate the golden jubilee of our diplomatic relationship through art. We have a diverse group of 15 talented artists of which 35% are women.”
Michael Rice, Chair of the Visual Communication Department and Professor of Studio Art at the American University in Dubai.
“AUD is very pleased to host this event celebrating and commemorating 50 years of UAE/Bangladesh Arts and friendship. The exhibition and art camp were both fantastic successes and we look forward to more collaboration with all the artists involved” – Michael Rice, Chair of the Visual Communication Department and Professor of Studio Art at the American University in Dubai.
JUS/