Classrooms gave way to canvases at the University of Dhaka on Wednesday as a three-day art exhibition titled Art for Equality opened its doors, bringing together teachers, students and leading artists to explore issues of justice, inclusion and social balance.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan at the Osman Jamal Auditorium. After the opening, he toured the gallery, stopping to engage with artists and examine works that reflect equality through diverse visual languages.
Organised by the Department of Art History under the Faculty of Fine Art, the exhibition features 90 artworks and a digital catalogue created by artists from nine public and private universities. The show is curated by Dr Sheikh Monir Uddin, chairman of the Department of Art History, who presided over the opening ceremony.
Speaking at the event, speakers highlighted the role of art as a tool for dialogue and social awareness, especially on issues of gender equality and human rights.
The exhibition is being held in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Plan International Bangladesh and the JAAGO Foundation Trust. Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Shabnam Mustari, DU Professor Dr Md Abdus Sattar, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Fine Art Professor AAM Kawsar Hasan, Plan International Bangladesh Country Director Kabita Bose and JAAGO Foundation Chairman Korvi Rakshand attended as special guests.
Jan Suilens, First Secretary for Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs and Gender at the Netherlands Embassy, was also present, while Sanjay Kumar De, associate curator of the exhibition and assistant professor at the department, delivered the welcome address.
As part of the programme, 10 artists were awarded for outstanding works. The awardees include Nadia Yasmin of Dhaka University; Debajyoti Barshan, Mocha and Momenun Nesa Surma; Niha Rani Das and Soma Suravi Jannat; Md Sajjadur Rahman Sihan and Oishee Chakma of Dhaka Art College; Shamim Ahmed of Jahangirnagar University; Saim Ahmed of Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology; and Fariha Khan of Khulna University.
Participating institutions include Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, Khulna University, Rajshahi University, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Dhaka Art College, Narayanganj Fine Art Institute and Jessore SM Sultan Art College.
The exhibition builds on a two-day art workshop held in November last year, where 90 teachers, students and artists developed works around the theme of equality.
Alongside the exhibition, three-day-long thematic seminars will be held on Thursday, bringing together academics, artists and researchers from various university departments.
Art for Equality will remain open to the public until January 23, daily from 9:00am to 7:30pm.