6-day art exhibition marking Independent and National Day of Bangladesh begins in Thailand

A six-day art exhibition commemorating Bangladesh's Independent and National Day commenced on March 26 in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand.

The exhibition premiered at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre with the participation of 18 artists from Bangladesh and four from Thailand showcasing contemporary paintings.

The theme of the exhibition, "Dream of Colours: Connecting Two Peoples and Two Lands," has been chosen to strengthen the bonds between the two friendly nations, said a press release here on Monday.

The event was co-sponsored by the Bangladesh Embassy, Bangkok, Thai President Food Public Company Limited, Consul of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (Chon Buri), and Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Chitrak Dhaka and the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts and Thammasad University are the esteemed partners of the exhibition.

In his speech on this occasion, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, said, “Art connects people. I am confident that the paintings and the artworks will be able to connect the art lovers vis-à-vis the people of the two countries, more than ever.”

“I hope that this exhibition generates interest in Thailand, inspires art connoisseurs, intelligentsia and people in general in Thailand and further connects our bilateral relations as well as creates interest among the Thai people to explore the facts of Bangladesh,” he also said.

Besides, in a message, Sermsak Pongpanit, minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Thailand said, “I would like to warmly congratulate the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and all related parties for arranging the event that features remarkable paintings from talented Thai and Bangladeshi artists, presenting their respective culture.

This exhibition will foster mutual understanding between Thai and Bangladeshi people through creative and meaningful art, he said.

In the past five decades, since the establishment of official diplomatic relations in 1972, the friendly relations between Thailand and Bangladesh have flourished, he noted.

“Our significant bilateral ties cover social, political, and economic cooperation and cultural exchanges will be strengthened in the future,” he said.

“The strong people-to-people contacts are a firm foundation of our comprehensive relationship. This event will surely open a new window for potential cultural exchanges between Thailand and Bangladesh,” he said.

On this special occasion, he said, “I hope this exhibition will allow Thai and Bangladeshi people the opportunity to discover great Thai and Bangladeshi contemporary art. I also hope that it will help promote the works of Thai and Bangladeshi artists as well as strengthen the cultural relations between Thailand and Bangladesh,” he added.

Md Muniruzzaman, executive director of Gallery Chitrak Dhaka, said Bangladesh is a land of flora and fauna, rivers and waters. Its climate varies at different times of the year.

The once-blue sky becomes black with clouds during monsoons. The soil that smiles with the green of the crops soon turns a rough brown. In spring, orange and yellow flowers cover the paths and fields. As a result, like nature, the human mind also changes from time to time. Seeing the waves of the water, and the turns of the river, our inner minds also tend to turn abruptly. Seeing the smiles of flowers, our hearts also fill with joy.

People become blusterous when they see the might of the North-wester. People of this country sing songs, draw pictures, work with resilience, and enjoy festivals. Nature then becomes their mentor. They portray their dreams with colours and bring them in their canvases. In this exhibition, a section of the contemporary artists of Bangladesh has presented the dreams of colours.

He said humans can connect easily. They understand each other's language. Their passions and their dreams so often come closer. Physical distance does not remain a barrier there. This reality is at work when the painters paint, and artists think. Apart from oral language, colour and canvas then become the link.

Artistry and aesthetics become a link. Wherever we are, we all dream of a beautiful world. We would like to explore that sense of beauty that prevails among the people of Thailand, among the art and artists of Thailand. We are here to perceive the dream of that beautiful tomorrow.

“On behalf of the participating artists from Bangladesh, I express my gratitude to the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bangkok, particularly to Ambassador Mohammed Abdul Hye, for initiating this opportunity for us. We remain steadfast in extending our full support for any possible future cooperation that ensures the promotion of arts and culture. I also express our gratitude for the cooperation of the Thai side, particularly for the tireless works of Pojjana Paniangvait. We are overwhelmed with the glimpse of Thai rich culture and hospitality, with the touch of cordiality from Thai people. As we come to Thailand to pursue our dreams, we will be delighted if fellow Thais find a trace of our dreams in our canvases,” he said.