A three-day art exhibition titled “Art for Equality” opened Wednesday at the University of Dhaka, accompanied by a digital catalogue. The event was organized by the Department of Art History, Faculty of Fine Art.
Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, vice chancellor of the University of Dhaka, inaugurated the exhibition. Dr. Shake Manir Uddin, chairman of the Department of Art History and Curator of the exhibition, presided over the event. Sanjoy Kumar Dey, associate curator, delivered welcome remarks and outlined the exhibition’s objectives.
Special guests included Joris van Bommel, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Shabnam Mustari, additional secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs; Prof Dr Md Abdus Sattar, honorary professor, Department of Oriental Art, DU; Prof. AAM Kaoser Hassan, acting dean, Faculty of Fine Art, DU; Kabita Bose, country director, Plan International Bangladesh; and Korvi Rakshand, chairman, JAAGO Foundation Trust.
The exhibition featured 90 artworks by faculty, students, and both emerging and renowned artists from nine universities. It is part of the four-year project “Shomotay Tarunno – Youth for Equality,” implemented by Plan International Bangladesh and JAAGO Foundation Trust, with financial support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The exhibition will run from Wednesday to Friday from 9am to 7:30pm, with three thematic seminars on Thursday.
DU VC called the initiative “commendable” and highlighted the Netherlands’ participation as “a broader and stronger partnership.” Ambassador van Bommel emphasized “the power of equality, the power of youth, and the power of art,” saying these forces convey messages of equality and justice.
Shabnam Mustari noted the artworks “reflect societal realities” and suggested involving students and rural communities in similar initiatives.
Prof Sattar said equality is challenging but achievable through art and dialogue.
Prof Hassan emphasized art’s role in transforming social mindsets, while Kabita Bose stressed that “equality must begin at the family level.”
Korvi Rakshand suggested linking such initiatives with climate change and other social issues to reach wider audiences.
Crests were awarded to the top ten artworks, and certificates were presented to all participants. Of 90 displayed works, 53 were competitive, and 37 by renowned artists were non-competitive.
The exhibition follows a November 14–15 workshop with 90 participants from nine universities, including Dhaka, Jagannath, Jahangirnagar, Khulna, Rajshahi, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Dhaka Art College, Narayanganj Fine Art Institute, and Jessore S. M. Sultan Art College.
Top 10 Artists of Art for Equality are Nadia Yeasmin, Debajoyti Borshon, Mst. Momenun Nesa Surma, Md. Sajjadur Rahman Shihan, Shamim Ahamed, Niha Rani Das, Soma Surovi Jannat, Saim Ahamed, Fariha Khan.
