The Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF) is a non-profit organization established in 2018 with a mission to support and promote art from South Asia and beyond in a critical, international art context.
This year, DBF and LARRY’S LIST have joined forces to create quarterly updates, featuring a roundup of the latest foundation news and collaborations, to highlight the art scene in this emerging part of the world and its global impact. The first edition lists eight recent and upcoming happenings during this winter season with a special focus on events related to South Asian artists connected to the DBF collection.
1. “Auric Vibrance” by Maksuda Iqbal Nipa at Edge Gallery
Right: “Aureate Rising”, 2023, oil on canvas, 116×116 cm, by Maksuda Iqbal Nipa.
Courtesy DBF.
From December 3 to 24, 2023, DBF presented “Auric Vibrance: The Cauldron of Passion” at Edge Gallery in Dhaka, Bangladesh, an exhibition by Maksuda Iqbal Nipa, where the artist created a celebration of colours and landscapes through her oil paintings. Intricately detailed in nature, Nipa’s artworks invited visitors to explore and connect with their inner selves, immersing them in a world of harmony and serenity.
2. Mahbubur Rahman’s “Quarantine”, Organised at Bengal Shilpalay Gallery
The exhibition, titled “Quarantine,” featured multi-dimensional artworks by artist Mahbubur Rahman and took place at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi from October 13 to December 19, 2023.
Rahman’s “Madona” series of prints, inspired by his personal experiences of losses and gains during the pandemic, formed a central theme of the display, where he delved into historical events using metal etching, sculpture, prints, artist’s books and drawings to convey his ideas. Notably, a significant portion of the exhibition was created through a collaborative community-driven project initiated four years prior.
Artists From the DBF Collection
3. DBF’s Majhi International Art Residency 2023 Held in Paris
During this two-week residency program, three artists from Asia and the Asian diaspora–Raisa Kabir, Aiko Tezuka and Rajyashri Goody–created new works for an exhibition curated by Ricko Leung. The show centered around the theme of textiles and indigo and delved into the history and significance of indigo — a material closely tied to the colonial history of Bengal.
4. DBF Supports “Colomboscope: Way of the Forest”, Empowering Artist Projects From Bangladesh
Colomboscope is a contemporary arts festival and creative platform for interdisciplinary dialogue. Running from January 19 to 28, 2024 across various venues in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the eighth edition of the event, named “Way of the Forest,” will explore ecological histories, lost environmental wisdom, developmental agendas and legacies of colonization.
DBF, as one of the festival’s lead patrons and cultural partners, is supporting the creative projects of four Bangladeshi artists, namely Zihan Karim, Soma Surovi Jannat, Jayatu Chakma and Md Rakibul Anwar.
5. The New DBF/KMB Award Commemorated Its First South Asian Recipient at London’s Hayward Gallery
The Hayward Gallery, in partnership with DBF and Kochi Biennale Foundation, showcased artist Amol K Patil’s groundbreaking exhibition, “The Politics of Skin and Movement,” from October 11 to November 19, 2023. The exhibition marked the reopening of the HENI Project Space, renowned for hosting free exhibitions from innovative international artists since 2007.
Patil is the inaugural recipient of the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation/Kochi-Muziris Biennale (DBF-KMB) Award, and this was their first UK institutional solo exhibition, which featured a diverse range of art forms including drawings, sculptures, kinetic objects, and moving images. Patil’s installation delved into themes such as labour, casteism and the body while also addressing issues of borders and access within their community across time and history.
DBF Family & Friends News
6. AVPN South Asia Summit Highlights Future-Ready Education
In December 2023, AVPN, Asia’s leading social investment network, hosted the AVPN South Asia Summit in Mumbai, focusing on optimizing capital flow for impactful initiatives, facilitating discussions on philanthropy and impact investing, and emphasizing the prioritization of marginalized communities in the region.
7. Joint Exhibition at Bangladesh National Museum and Gallery Chitrak Marks Rafiqun Nabi’s 80th Birthday
In commemoration of the 80th birthday of the painter-printmaker Rafiqun Nabi, The Bangladesh National Museum and Gallery Chitrak jointly hosted a retrospective exhibition on both premises from November 5 to November 11, 2023.
Rafiqun Nabi is revered for his significant contributions to advancing contemporary art in Bangladesh. His meticulous attention to detail and mastery of various techniques are evident not only in his paintings, engravings and drawings but also in his incisive and humorous cartoons. Notably, he is the creator of ‘Tokai,’ a character that cleverly narrates stories depicting the painful truths about the political and socio-economic situation of the country.
8. UNESCO Lists Bangladeshi Rickshaw Art As “Intangible Heritage”
UNESCO’s recent recognition of rickshaws and rickshaw paintings in Dhaka as an intangible cultural heritage not only underscores the cultural importance of these vehicles and their artistic expressions but also represents a moment of pride for Bangladesh.
The dedicated community of folk artists and artisans involved in rickshaw painting has been instrumental in preserving the motifs that define this art form, with knowledge passed down through generations among chassis makers, hood makers and rickshaw artists, ensuring the continuity of this tradition.
For more information on all these stories plus more, visit the DBF website.
Website: Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation
Instagram: @durjoybangladeshfoundation
