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 second issue features a selection of seven latest activities this season, from book publishing to active engagements with the regional art scene.
DBF publishes “Rise of a Nation”, a book on Raghu Rai’s captured photographs of the Liberation War
DBF has recently published a photo book that features historically significant and many rare photographs from the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, captured by the renowned Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai, a member of the esteemed Magnum Photos. In 1971, Rai ventured into the war zone in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and tirelessly walked alongside the Indian forces on the battlefield, capturing numerous photographs that document the living history. His remarkable photographs have provided Bangladesh with a valuable photographic chronicle of that period. Rai was awarded the Padmashree in 1971, one of India’s highest civilian awards ever given to a photographer, for the body of work he produced on Bangladeshi refugees, the war, and its surrender. This book aims to become an invaluable archival treasure for future generations, preserving the memory of this historical event.
“Collecting Art Today” organised by Sotheby’s Institute of Art and LARRY’S LIST, 23 – 26 March 2024
Art educators Sotheby’s Institute of Art and art collector knowledge company LARRY’S LIST have partnered to offer art education with a focus on the Asia region.
Designed for seasoned collectors looking to broaden their horizons and fresh collectors looking to hone their skillsets alike, this course was also valuable for those seeking to understand the collector mindset, such as art advisors, private collection managers, and gallery sales staff. It offered professional insights into how to advance one’s collector mission, whether that is supporting artists, making art more accessible, successfully navigating the global art marketplace, or something in between.
Durjoy Rahman, the founder of DBF, was among the course speakers who shared his insights and experiences as one of the most significant art collectors in South Asia.
“The Puzzling Classics Show” by Andrea Morucchio, April 12 – June 13, 2024
Bugno Art Gallery, Venice, in collaboration with DBF presents “The Puzzling Classics Show”, a solo exhibition by Andrea Morucchio. The opening will take place on April 12 at 5:30 pm at the exhibition place in Fondamenta Sant’Anna, Castello 996/A, Venice.
The exhibition provides 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 sees these tiles rearranged and repositioned in mosaic forms, creating fascinating reinterpretations of paintings by Renaissance masters.
Notably, 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.
Multidisciplinary exhibition titled “Recollected/ স্মরণ” held at Alliance Française de Dhaka, 2 – 20 March 2024
Uronto Artist Community, in collaboration with the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF), hosted a multidisciplinary exhibition titled “Recollected/ স্মরণ,” at Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Gulshan. The exhibition showcased a range of multidisciplinary artworks inspired by the history, culture, and local contemporary narratives from two architectural heritages in the Sunamganj district in Bangladesh, known as the Gourarang Jaminder Palace and the Shukhair Jaminder Palace.
This exhibition served as a vibrant showcase of contemporary artistry, focusing on the lesser-known heritage sites in Sunamganj, Sylhet. Through various artistic mediums like painting, drawing, photography, ceramic work, printmaking, installation, theater performances, workshops, and other events, the aim was to revisit the stories and memories within the heritage sites.
Read in detail about the exhibition here.
Art Basel Hong Kong hosted a talk on “Worldmaking Beyond the West”, 28 March 2024
The Art Basel Hong Kong organised “Worldmaking Beyond the West: What Does it Mean to Decolonize an Institution?”, a talk that brought together esteemed institutional leaders, including Durjoy Rahman, Suhanya Raffel, X Zhu-Nowell, and Storm Janse van Rensburg, delved into their efforts to reshape the art landscape by challenging Western-centric narratives. Through their initiatives, they aim to dismantle inherited colonial structures within the art world, paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse representation of art histories and contemporary practices.
The talk was held on 28 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Auditorium.
Read in detail here.
DBF hosts guided art tours for students and art practitioners from various institutions
As part of DBF’s public engagement initiative, it has been hosting guided tours for diverse and vibrant crowds of students and art practitioners from different reputable institutions such as the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka; The Faculty of Fine Arts, Jahangirnagar University; the art department of the American International School Dhaka, etc. This includes artists, curators, and creatives who gather at DBF’s creative space. The guests explore the carefully curated sections of the DBF art space, engaging with themes such as the war of liberation, displacement, territorialism, pandemic, and space management.
Featuring works by national and international avant-garde artists, the tours aim to provide visitors with a firsthand glimpse into both historically significant and contemporary art practices.
Bangladeshi artists participate in the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024, 20 February- 24 May 2024
The second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, titled “After Rain,” opened to the public on February 20 and runs through May 24, 2024. Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and led by Artistic Director Ute Meta Bauer, the event takes place in the JAX District, known for its industrial heritage, in the historic town of Diriyah. Showcasing artists from Saudi Arabia and worldwide, the exhibition delves into the role of contemporary art in a rapidly changing society.
“After Rain” features diverse artists who explore human-nature relationships, urban landscapes, historical narratives, and the importance of attentive listening. Bangladeshi artists including Munem Wasif, Dhali Al Mamoon, and Britto Arts Trust are participating in the exhibition.
For more information and other updates, visit the DBF website: Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation; and its Instagram: @durjoybangladeshfoundation
