Staff Reporter, Dhaka : Founded by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has been organizing the largest art exhibition in Asia named Asian Art Biennale for the past 40 years. The exhibition is now open to all countries of the world. 68 countries of the world participated in 2018. It was our dream to organize this event with 100 countries of the world on the occasion of birth centenary of Bangabandhu. We are happy to announce that our dream has come true. This year 493 artists from 114 countries including Bangladesh are participating in the exhibition.

The greatest Bengali of thousand years, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who established Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on February 19, 1974 to flourish, expand and introduce Bengali refined culture to the world. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has been playing a significant role to bloom and foster of the art as well as culture of Bangladesh in the national and international environment along with the art-soldiers of this country who nurtured the dream of Bangabandhu. Cultural arena of Bangladesh has been flourished by organizing numerous national and international exhibitions and events. Since its inception, the Department of Fine Art of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has been organizing various national and international art exhibitions (for example: Asian Arts Biennale, National Art Exhibition, Young Artist Art Exhibition, National Sculpture Exhibition, National Photography Exhibition etc.).

The “Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh” is the oldest and most prestigious international art festival in the Asian continent, which has been organized continuously for the past four decades. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is proudly organizing this international art exhibition under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Predominantly, to make it well known to collectors, this international art festival was initiated on a biennale basis. The Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh exhibits two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks such as paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, installations and new media arts. Native and foreign artists presented their contemporary thoughts to the spectators through these artworks. On the occasion of the exhibition, a two-day seminar is organized on a specific theme with the participation of native and foreign artists, art critics, jury, observers. Native and foreign artists are invited to Bangladesh with hospitality to involve them in the several events of the exhibition. This event comprises the exhibition opening ceremony, month-long exhibition, international seminar, river cruise, excursion to various historical sites, art camp, cultural programs, dinner etc. which are attended by foreign guests.

The 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 is going to be commenced at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka for a month from 08 December 2022 to 07 January 2023 under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and organized by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. It is to be noted that according to the decision of the National Committee of the Exhibition, the 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 has been dedicated to the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to respect his birth centenary celebration. In that context, with the target of participation of 100 countries of the world in the exhibition, on behalf of the Honorable State Minister of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the invitations have been sent to the Ministers of Cultural Affairs of 125 countries of the world. Simultaneously, on behalf of the Secretary of Ministers of Cultural Affairs and the Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the invitations have been sent to the honorable ambassadors of all foreign embassies in Bangladesh.

One National Committee and one Implementation Committee have been formed for the pursuit of policy making, advice and taking important decisions for the smooth completion of the exhibition activities. Including Bangladesh already prominent artists from 114 countries have confirmed their participation in the exhibition, among them 149 are Bangladeshi artists and 316 are foreign artists. The Honorable Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has given her kind consent to attend the opening ceremony of this exhibition as the chief guest on 08 December 2022.