The Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts aspires to offer a platform for creative and artistic interactions. To further this aim, the Bengal Gallery is venturing into new ground with its most recent endeavour, the exhibition Shomomon-Shohojon. This was the first time, the Bengal Gallery organised an art exhibition outside of Dhaka. Our companion in this effort was Charupith, Jessore, an art research institute and one of the few yet much needed institutions located outside of Dhaka that aim to foster and nurture the growth of art. Among its many activities, Charupith established the first art gallery in Southern Bangladesh; the gallery was launched with this exhibition. Shomomon-Shohojon featured the work of artists from Dhaka, Khulna and Jessore. The exhibition introduced first generation maestros Zainul, Quamrul and Sultan. Second generation artists Mohammad Kibria, Aminul Islam, Mustafa Monwar, Qayyum Chowdhury, Rafiqunnabi, Hashem Khan were also included, as well as the work of newer, emerging artists, providing a sense of continuity in terms of style of the development of art in Bangladesh. We hoped that the exhibition will also succeed in connecting non-Dhaka audiences with the Dhaka-centric mainstream art scene. The Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts believes that art is something that should be easily accessible to all. In Charupith, we have found an apt companion to our recent endeavour. It was our hope that Shomomon-Shohojon, heralds the beginning of many such efforts.

Date: 01.09.2004 – 19.09.2004
Venue: Charupith, the art research centre
Organiser: Bengal Foundation