The third solo art exhibition of artist Atia Islam Anne titled ‘Contemporary Narratives’ is underway at Alliance Française de Dhaka, Dhanmondi in the capital.
The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held on August 18 on the gallery premises.
Eminent artist Shahabuddin Ahmed was present at the event as the chief guest while Dr Rubana Huq, Vice Chancellor, Asian University for women and Luva Nahid Choudhury, Director General, Bengal Foundation also attended the event as special guests.
In a country where only a handful of artists engage in work that evokes direct societal and political reflections, Anne stands out as a prominent figure. Since the 1980s, the resonance of ever-changing times has emerged in Anne's artwork. Her artistic endeavors have encapsulated the essence of societal critique, indignation, and fervor against prevailing social constructs. Her paintings intricately portray the conditions of women in our society.
Anne’s distinct style captures the nuances of contemporary social consciousness. Through her artistic expressions, she addresses pertinent issues of exploitation and violation of human emotions, prompting audiences to introspect. The artist has portrayed the signs of struggle against societal corruption, discord, and the fight for survival, depicting the passage of time in her artwork and emphasizing her commitment to these issues. And for doing so, her expressions speak in a language that is integrated with metaphors, allegories, signs, and symbols.
This exhibition showcases a collection of 22 selected acrylic paintings created between the years of 2012 and 2023.
Artist Atia Islam Anne’s journey as an artist began at the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, where she obtained her Bachelor’s in 1983, followed by a Master's in 1986.
In the year 2000, she marked her debut solo art exhibition under the title "Women and Society" at Gallery 21. In 2009, Anne presented her second solo exhibition, ‘Kaalbela’, at Bengal Shilpalaya.
Notably, she earned the prestigious Grand Prize at the 18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2018, competing against participants from 68 countries.
The exhibition will remain open to all Monday to Saturday from 3 pm to 9 pm (closed on Sunday) until August 29.
