23rd National Art Exhibition kicks off in city

The 23rd National Art Exhibition is now on at National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The exhibition was inaugurated on July 1. The exhibition features 322 artworks of different mediums and genres by 310 artists.
On the occasion of the exhibition, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organised a press conference where Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky and Director of Fine Arts Department of the academy Ashraful Alam Poplu, among others, were present on the occasion.
Prime minister's political adviser HT Imam inaugurated the festival on July 1 and handed over the awards. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, Cultural Affairs Secretary Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal and former Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith were present at the inaugural session.
The 322 artworks are on display at the exhibition which has been selected by a five-member jury from around 1500 artworks submitted by 850 artists. The selected artworks comprise of 159 paintings, 45 sculptures, 50 prints, 37 installations and eight crafts. Besides, the exhibition will feature seven performance arts, informed Lucky.
From among the selected works eight awards, including the best award, best painting, best sculpture, best print and best new media award were given at the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition.
In the year 1974, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy was established to take over the duties of the Pakistan Arts Council, to become the National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts in Bangladesh. The academy made the decision in 2003, to become conservationists and protectors of art, by creating the National Art Gallery at Shilpakala Academy. A gallery was constructed on the grounds of the academy, and was a project that involved the assistance of academy staff, Bangladesh authorities and dedicated students. The National Art Gallery has become an establishment that the entire country can be proud of.
The art gallery is a two storey structure that consists of exhibition halls and workshops, and the workshops are used for educational purposes and lectures, as well as practical work where students can learn to preserve artwork, explore the environment that art work should be kept in, mounting and cleaning artwork and documentation of pieces. Over and above ensuring the future of the preservation of art through education, the gallery also has a great collection of art work for visitors to marvel at. The National Art Gallery is a true historical gem in Bangladesh as it works towards opening a doorway to art and culture for visitors to explore, while promoting art within the local community. Permanent and temporary exhibitions bring exposure to the gallery and give all those interested, the opportunity to enjoy the magnificence of art, in all its forms.
The exhibition will continue till July 21.