Exhibition on Dhaka problems through the eyes of artists begins today

Art exhibition titled ‘Urban Issues of Dhaka: An Artistic Gaze’, focusing on the urban problems of Dhaka will begin at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka in Dhanmondi today at 5:30pm.

The exhibition is a unique juxtaposition of art and urban research. This is an outcome of a yearlong creative engagement with ten artists and 30 schoolchildren that teases out Dhaka’s unorthodox yet crucial urban problems. This exhibition aims to provoke thinking regarding sustainable Dhaka.

While introducing the exhibition, the event concept designer Professor Tanjil said, “We designed the exhibition following a storyline that starts from individual issues and ends by questioning philosophical standpoints.

The interesting space design will surprise the audience as it will make people feel the problems of Dhaka.”

The exhibition is a part of an impact activity conducted by the GCRF Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighbourhoods (SHLC).

SHLC is an international research consortium of 8 partners studying urbanisation and sustainable development challenges of 14 cities in Asia and Africa. Khulna University of is the partner of this consortium and researching in Dhaka and Khulna.

In this exhibition, eminent and young artists have brought more than 19 outstanding paintings, sculptures, and installations.

At the same time, 30 artworks from school children from deprived areas of Dhaka city has also showcased in the event.

Eminent artists Dr Kazi Ghiyasuddin, Sahid Kabir, Dhali Al Mamoon, Tayeba Begum Lipi and Mahbubur Rahman are participating in the event.

The exhibition also includes five young artists: Sunanda Rani Borman, Mahamudul Hasan, Md Mojahidur Rahman Sarker, KuntalBarai and SM Shaha Anisuzzaman Faroque.

The exhibition is curated by architect Salauddin Ahmed. The works from artists capture interesting and critical urban problems such as rough sleepers, shelter and health vulnerability of the poor, lost neighbourhood life, (in) security, the life of non-human agents in cities, urban tranquility, thrown togetherness, and hopes of urbanites.

Dr Shilpi Roy (associate professor at Khulna University), the event organiser, is optimistic that the event will provoke new thinking regarding the rhizomatic nature of problems in Dhaka.

“We aim to reach out to the policymakers, citizens and scholars through this event so that they start thinking and talking about the complex issues around sustainable urbanisation,” she said.

The exhibition will be open to all till June 7.