Arcadia Arts Gallery opened with group show of eminent artists

Arcadia Arts Gallery, located at the heart of Banani, opened with an important group show recently. The exhibition, which began on February 16, is showcasing artworks of some of the most eminent artists of the country and beyond, such as Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hasan, SM Sultan, Alakesh Ghosh, Ivy Zaman, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, and Kalidas Karmakar among others. The co-founders of this hub, Khan Rezaul Hoq and Arneeb Chaudhury, are distinguished art collectors.

The vision behind Arcadia is to create a bridge between artists, art enthusiasts, art critics and the masses. This gallery is built on the idea that art should be made accessible to all. Besides featuring works of established artists, Arcadia plans on curating exhibitions of young and struggling artists as well.

Their liberal outlook extends to them highlighting works of international artists as well. To that end, this exhibition features works of Indian artists such as Maqbul Fida Husain, Jogen Chowdhury, Ajit Sheel, Prabir Kumar Biswas, Taposh Das and Shahjahan.

Internationally celebrated artist Monirul Islam, who is highly appreciated in the artist community for etching out an individual style in his paintings, expressed a thorough delight in being part of this exhibition at Arcadia, and gave his best wishes to the gallery. "At times like these, in the middle of a pandemic, art is the only factor that can bring us respite," he added.

Acclaimed artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma, popular for her stark semblance of abstract scapes meeting real ones, also congratulated the gallery. She further hoped that more dynamic works of young artists will also be featured in the walls of Arcadia.

The exhibition will be open for all till March 16, but art lovers and collectors must maintain hygiene rules and will require a prior registration to visit the gallery.

The author is a freelance journalist.