Art galleries in Dhaka have resumed their exhibitions and regular activities as the country's situation stabilizes. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, there were concerns about attacks on artworks in both public and private spaces.
Several prominent galleries, including Bengal Shilpalay, Drik, Dwip Gallery, Kalakendra, and Safiuddin Shilpalay, have reopened their ongoing exhibitions. Drik has resumed its exhibition "Cartoone Bidrho" and has reopened its postponed exhibition "Bangladesh Press Photo Contest 2024" as of August 16.
Bengal Shilpalay's exhibition "Monon Khonon" by artist Wakilur Rahman will run until September 14, 2024, while Dwip Gallery has resumed Kazi Monir’s solo exhibition "Akaitab" from August 18. Kalakendra has also reopened with Javed Jalil’s solo exhibition "Synthetic Reality."
Kalakendra’s curator, artist Wakilur Rahman, mentioned, "We are opening our gallery as the situation of the country is improving. Artists are gathering for works and discussions, and while the student-led mass uprising brings new hope, we remain concerned about potential attacks on sculptures and murals."
Alliance Française de Dhaka is set to host a group art exhibition titled "PSA: Beyond the Gaze" on August 29, featuring works by Aniruddha Sarkar, Arshadul Hoque Rocky, Ashima Raizada, Jatin Gulati, Kunga Tashi Lepcha, Rinoshan Susiman, and Ritika Sharma. Galleri Kaya and Gallery the Illusions are planning their exhibitions for September.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Shilpkala Academy has postponed its activities following the resignation of its director general, Liaquat Ali Lucky, on August 12. The BSA public relations officer, Sabina Yesmin Puthi, stated that activities would resume once a new director general is appointed.
