Art | BANGLADESH Emerging
Bangladeshi Art
with Tremendous Exposure in London
Art Bangladesh – The Bangladesh Brand Forum
Ritu Jain and Ishi Jami, along with Bangladesh Brand Forum, have organized an exclusive exhibition of contemporary Bangladeshi Art at Asia House London at the end of last year. The exhibition was curated by artist Nazia Preema Andaleeb and displayed the artwork of 18 prominent artists. Concluding a two-day conference titled “Bangladesh – Asia’s Next Big Opportunity,” the conference highlighted business and investment opportunities in the country and showcased the art and culture of Bangladesh and its heritage.
Ritu Jain and Ishi Jami share a passion for contemporary Asian arts and a desire to globally-popularize Asian arts by producing a uniquely conceptual show through innovative execution. They have organized successful exhibitions in London, Shanghai, Dhaka, New Delhi, Mumbai and Hong Kong, and they aspire to assist the artists in their struggles for greater visibility and understanding, to help their art transcend borders and to reach a wider and more diverse audience. The most recent exhibition provided an opportunity for Londoners to admire an amazing collection of artwork, to “meet Bangladesh” and to marvel at the strokes of the masters, the experimentation of the trend-setters and the color usages and imaginations of all the artists.
The History of Contemporary Art in Bangladesh
The history of contemporary art in Bangladesh began in 1947, at the time of subcontinent partition. It was pioneered by Zainul Abedin and some of his colleagues from West Bengal, who opted to settle down in East Bengal. They set up the first art school in the newly formed state. This institute trained a generation of new artists whose work reflected the changing times and who depicted social reality in their art. The fifties painters were different and took to abstraction. The creation of Bangladesh as a separate entity further influenced the art of the nation as artists of the 70s started using a more figurative language, experimenting with a mix of the traditional, contemporary and challenging expectations with various innovative styles. The art world in Bangladesh received a tremendous impetus when the government of Bangladesh organized The First Asian Art Biennial in 1981.
Recently, there has been an upswing in the art market of Bangladesh due to efforts made by art lovers, enthusiastic tourists, educated businessmen, cultural activists and far- sighted diplomats and expatriates. Besides this, the thriving textile industry has produced affluent buyers and huge demand. In addition, non-resident Bangladeshis, especially the second generation, now desire to connect with their roots, and for them, bringing home a piece of art from their homeland as a reminder of who they are. Foreign travel and exposure to art galleries along with interaction with art connoisseurs abroad has enabled Bangladeshi-art buyers to understand and refine their tastes in fine arts, further producing the surge in the Bangladeshi arts market.
Future Bangladeshi Arts and Artists
The new generation of artists thinks critically about their society and its artistic heritage, knowing that there is a need for regional identity, and these artists use color, line, composition and texture to illustrate their inner thoughts. Their work is an amalgamation of local methods and materials, from the technique of miniature painting and elements of the vibrant mass culture to global modes, including abstract painting and video art. Because art is a language - it deals with emotions and stories and sometimes contains poetic references using imagery and symbols – the Bangladeshi artists have used this language to speak volumes about their heritage to the world.
Therefore, Bangladesh Brand Forum aims to take this innovative Bangladeshi art to new heights. There is no doubt that Bangladeshi art of substance exists, however art promotion is terribly lacking. Witnessing the artists’ struggles, the Bangladesh Brand Forum has positioned itself to offer Bangladeshi artists a showcase platform - a platform that encourages artists to show their works overseas and gain recognition. Efforts of the Bangladesh Brand Forum are being recognized by supportive corporations, including Brac Bank, Brand Forum, Duncan Brothers, Partex Group and GMG Airlines, to name a few. Please join Eyes In and these other supporters in celebrating the art and artists from Bangladesh.
Eyes in | 21
Ritu Jain and Ishi Jami aspire to assist artists in their struggles for greater visibility and understanding (to crate) regional identity.
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