Shahidul Alam's exhibition opens Drik's new gallery
A new exhibition by Dr. Shahidul Alam, titled “The Best Years of My Life: Bangladeshi Migrants in Malaysia” opened in the capital yesterday, also marking the inauguration of Drik's new gallery in Panthapath. In a press conference at the gallery, the marquee photographer-journalist also announced an upcoming groundbreaking exhibition of his, to be held next month at the premises of the Bait Ur Rouf mosque in the capital.
“The Best Years of My Life: Bangladeshi Migrants in Malaysia” takes a close, personal look at the life of migrant workers working in Malaysia, their families at home, their struggles at various stages of the process, and the parties involved in it – from former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad to small-time 'dalal' (agents) in Comilla. In the small space of the exhibition, it brings together a holistic story of the workers' lives and the entire industry in operation. The series was previously exhibited at the 9th Global Forum of Migration and Development (GFMD) held last year in Dhaka, and will travel to the next year's GFMD Summit in Berlin, followed by the Global Media Forum by Deutsche Welle in Bonn.
Shahidul Alam detailed the background of the exhibit, as well as breaking down the photos and the stories beyond them at the press conference. Also speaking there, curator of the exhibition ASM Rezaur Rahman also spoke about the curatorial aspect of it, while adding that this new Drik Gallery aims to hold longer-term exhibitions and aim to connect the audience better with the exhibitions through the curatorial process.
At the press conference, Shahidul Alam also announced an upcoming exhibition, “Embracing the Other” that is set to be held at the open premises of the Aga Khan Architecture Award-winning Bait Ur Rouf Mosque from May 8-10. The exhibition, groundbreaking in nature due to its venue, was initially set to open in the mosque, a brave attempt by the seminal journalist-writer-curator and activist to bridge the gap between the religious Muslims and the progressive, secular parts of society. According to him, “Prophet Muhammad introduced the mosque, which served not only as a place for prayer and religious activities, but for education, medical treatment, a welfare and charity centre, as a shelter and even for non-Muslims to come in contact with Islam. The exhibition was aimed at creating that missing link. The exhibition was supposed to be held inside the mosque, but apparently pressure from some quarters made that difficult, prompting the decision to shift it to the open premises of the mosque. A number of foreign dignitaries, including British parliamentarians, are expected to attend the exhibit, and the guests have begun arriving, Dr. Alam informed.
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