It's indeed a grand celebration of the brilliance of Bangladeshi art. Artists of our country are doing great with their multifarious expressions of art -- be it painting, print, sculpture, installation, video or performance art. It is also a great contribution of our pioneer artists, organisers, critics and art lovers who have been assisting Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in organisng National Art Exhibition biennially since 1975. The exhibition has been excelling its previous standards and qualities over the years.            

Finance minister AMA Muhith graced the opening ceremony of the 21st National Art Exhibition 2015 at National Art Gallery auditorium of BSA on May 24. Cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor and eminent artist Rafiqun Nabi attended as special guests. 

Soon after the opening, a number of participating and award-winning artists with the featured guests, art connoisseurs and lovers took a tour of the gallery spaces to check out the art pieces, installations and performance arts of their respective interests. 

A total of 10 awards were conferred on deserving artists on the inaugural day. Ruhul Karim Rumme bagged Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award for his work “Ambiguity” while Abdul Momen Milton received Bengal Foundation Award for his installation “Ekti Gachh-er Jonno”. Rasel Kanti Das achieved SPBA (Square) Award for his work “Situation 22”. 

Arif Al Karim Bhuiyan bagged AB Bank Award, Efat Razowana Reya received Bhasha Shainik Gaziul Haque Award, Habiba Akther Papia attained Begum Azizunnessa Award, Sana Ullah received Dipa Haque Award while Shimul Saha, Ruhul Amin Tarek and Mithun Kumar Saha bagged Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Honourable Mention Awards.

Non award-winning works are no less important, according to jury member Rafiqun Nabi. Rudra Naser's terracotta work “Musician-1” evokes the grace and glamour of burnt clay. Malay Bala's watercolour “Reunion of Shakuntala-1” is a classical example of fine art that speaks of the watery romantic poem; Bishwajit Goswami's untitled installation suggests feminine beauty, mythical connotation and romantic euphoria. 

Gulshan Hossain's painting-based installation “Plastic: The Silent Killer” signifies on the consciousness of environmental pollution; Mukul Kumar Barai's series of bronze sculpture titled “Vitality, Current Reality and the Next Dream” beckons prospects of scientific innovation, invention of genome code and exploration of the Bay of Bengal. Mohammad Hasanur Rahman's “Game of Burning” and Mohammad Abdus Salam's “The Funeral Procession of Humanity” depict contemporary political pictures and violence.   

Promising artists like Manan Morshed, Ashim Halder Saagor, Gopal Saha, Sirazam Munira Sawrna, Jakiya Ahmed Jhuma, Arif Mahamud Anik, Anjumanara Sonia, Tushar Dey and others have beautifully portrayed innovative and folk-themed works.          

The objective of this exhibition is to bring together artists belonging to different age groups, working in different mediums and techniques. The event has also become a platform, encouraging exchange of ideas between artists, critics and art enthusiasts. The exhibition, opening from 11am to 8pm (3pm to 8pm on Fridays) will continue till June 13.