Established in 2018, the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF) is a philanthropic entity dedicated to fostering and showcasing art from South Asia and the wider world within a discerning global art narrative. In a collaborative effort with LARRY’S LIST, DBF has initiated the release of quarterly newsletters this year. These bulletins aim to spotlight the latest news and partnerships of the foundation, emphasizing the burgeoning art scene in this dynamic region and its worldwide influence.
This third issue features a selection of five latest projects this season, with exhibitions from Venice to Dhaka.
‘The War Is Not Over Yet’ by Mashruk Ahmed held at Alliance Française de Dhaka
‘War Is Not Over Yet’, an exhibition on the ongoing research-based project by Mashruk Ahmed, opened on Friday, 21 June 2024 at 5.30 pm at Alliance Française de Dhaka. Through the integration of photography, videography, and archival materials, the artist collaborates with women freedom fighters to explore their personal narratives, aiming to provide a sanctuary for their stories and experiences.
Mashruk Ahmed, a freelance documentary photographer born and raised in Bangladesh, pursued his photography studies at Counter Foto. The exhibition continued at La Galerie till 26 June 2024. Asm Rezaur Rahman curated the exhibition, ensuring a thoughtful presentation of Ahmed’s compelling work alongside the stories of the women freedom fighters. The exhibition was supported by the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation.
Read in detail about the exhibition here.
‘The Puzzling Classics Show’ by Andrea Morucchio held at Bugno Art Gallery, Venice, April 12 – June 23, 2024
Bugno Art Gallery, Venice in collaboration with the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF) presented ‘The Puzzling Classics Show’ a solo exhibition by Andrea Morucchio. The exhibition was open to view until June 23, 2024.
The exhibition provided a captivating glimpse into Andrea Morucchio’s ‘Puzzling Project’ initiated in 2015 when, during the 56th Venice Biennale, the artist presented the multimedia installation ‘The Rape of Venice’ at the Museum of Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo. A distinctive element of the installation was thousands of photographic tiles, casually arranged to deconstruct the geometric, phytomorphic, and zoomorphic patterns of the floor mosaic of St. Mark’s Basilica. The Puzzling Classics project saw these tiles rearranged and repositioned in mosaic forms, creating fascinating reinterpretations of paintings by Renaissance masters.
Morucchio participated in the Majhi Residency in Venice in 2019, where he contributed to the project “Engagement Acts.” He was also a guest speaker for “TALK” at Majhi Residency Eindhoven in 2022 hosted by DBF.
Zihan Karim’s audio-visual presentation ‘My Understanding of Curatorial Practices’
Interdisciplinary artist Zihan Karim, known for his exploration of various modes of archiving within contemporary moving image and video installation, presented his audio-visual presentation ‘My Understanding of Curatorial Practices’ on the 16 May 2024 at Osman Jamal Auditorium, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka. Professor Shishir Bhattacharjee was present at the event as a special guest.
Zihan’s practice, informed by a deep interest in the development of art as a record and professional research, reflects an ongoing engagement with future pedagogy. He completed his graduation in painting from the University of Chittagong in 2012, followed by postgraduate study on “Artist Film & Moving Images” at Goldsmiths, University of London in 2023, partially funded by Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF). He participated in the 4th Majhi Residency at Eindhoven, Netherlands in 2021.
Recently, he curated the exhibition “RISE OF A NATION“, showcasing captivating photographs from 1971 during the liberation war by Magnum photographer Raghu Rai.
Singer Runa Laila completes 60 years of music journey
Runa Laila, a celebrated icon from Bangladesh and a revered singer and composer in the subcontinent, marks 60 years of her remarkable musical career today. Over these six decades, her melodious voice has resonated in countless songs throughout Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Performing in 18 different languages, she has touched the hearts of billions and brought international recognition to Bangladesh through her contributions.
Her voice was a breath of fresh air to music lovers of the subcontinent. Today, she continues to enthrall audiences with her singing and compositions, remaining deeply immersed in the world of music. Even after 60 years, Runa Laila’s music resonates with fans old and new, receiving their love and affection.
‘Planography Workshop’ conducted at Safiuddin Printmaking Studio
An eight-day printmaking workshop titled ‘Planography Workshop,’ conducted by internationally acclaimed artist and art educator Sheikh Mohammad Rokonuzzaman, took place at Safiuddin Shilpalay. The studio inaugurated the workshop on May 31, marking the 102nd anniversary of the birth of Safiuddin Ahmed. About 34 artists participated in the workshop, including 18 fine art students from nine universities who were sponsored by the Safiuddin Printmaking Studio. The workshop, which aimed to promote printmaking and support artists from various backgrounds, concluded on June 7.
Safiuddin Ahmed’s unique perspective and creativity led him to create new trends by adapting grammar to his own needs. DBF has dedicated a room in their creative space to the master artist.
Check Safiuddin Ahmed’s artwork in the DBF collection here.
Check out DBF Collection: https://dbfcollection.com/
For more information and other updates, visit the DBF website: Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation; and its Instagram: @durjoybangladeshfoundation
