International Art Camp ends today at KEPZ

As part of the 17th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh (AABB), Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in collaboration with Youngone Corporation has organized an international art camp from December 5 to December 7 at the KEPZ, one of the world's most environment-friendly industrial zones.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor inaugurated the art camp as chief guest yesterday. Farooq Sobhan, renowned art collector and former foreign secretary of Bangladesh; Samju Kwak, Councilor and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Dhaka; eminent artists Samarjit Roy Chowdhury (Bangladesh) and Dhiraj Chowdhury (India) and Jahangir Saadat, President of KEPZ, were present as special guests. Eminent artists Rafiqun Nabi and Hashem Khan, and art critic/environmentalist Professor Nazrul Islam also spoke at the event. 

This is the first time such an international art camp is taking place in Bangladesh, where 19 eminent artists from six different countries -- Bangladesh, India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka are taking part. 

“This international art camp is a great initiative of 17th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh. We are determined to promote curatorial jobs just after finishing the biennale so that the next biennale can display the best artworks of the world,” said Asaduzzaman Noor.

“Both Korean and Bangladeshis have an immense passion for art and culture. Culture represents an international language and helps people communicate with each other. I would like to emphasise that Korea would be cultural fellow of Bangladesh and will continue to share their love for art and culture,” said Samju Kwak.   

“I had a dream of holding such an international art camp in Bangladesh. I proposed it to the authority of KEPZ and they agreed to hold the art camp here. The more artistic exchanges and interactions will happen, the more we can enrich ourselves,” said Professor Eunus, the member secretary of the Art Camp.

“I am mesmerised by the nature and greenery of Bangladesh. The art camp is being held on the lap of nature. The ambience is amazing with regard to the interexchange between the artists and nature,” said Professor Toyomi Hoshina, member of primary artwork selection committee of the Biennale.

Apart from the three-day art camp, there are artists' talks by the participating artists and cultural programmes by local artistes. Each artist will create two paintings, which will be exhibited in the next edition of the biennale.

Since its inception from 1981, Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh has become a major international art event bringing together artists and contemporary artworks of the world.