17TH ASIAN ART BIENNALE 2016

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) is to organise the month long 17th Asian Art Biennale 2016 at National Art Gallery of BSA. Finance minister AMA Muhit will inaugurate the biennale as chief guest at the National Theatre Hall auditorium of BSA at 11am on December 1. 

Apart from artists of Asia and Asia-Pacific countries, painters, sculptors, photographers and artists from other artistic branches from 54 countries are taking part in the art fiesta. One hundred and fifty four artworks by 148 Bangladeshi artists have been selected for display. Besides, 53 artworks by 54 notable artists of Bangladesh will be on display at the grand art show. For the first time, the organisers have declared an open call for online artworks submission worldwide. Asian Art Biennale is the pioneering art biennale of Asia and one of the forerunning art biennales of the world.  Two hundred and sixty artworks by 150 artists from 53 other countries will be on display at the biennale.

Besides, 145 foreign artists, art critics and museum curators will attend the grand art event. Apart from the month long exhibition, a seminar on the title “Art and the City,” performance art show, international art camp and cultural programmes will be held simultaneously.   

A press conference was held at BSA where Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Cultural Affairs Secretary Begum Akhrtari Momtaz, director general of BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky and director of the Department of Fine Arts, BSA Md. Muniruzzaman elaborated on various aspects of the biennale, on Sunday.

Like previous years, the organisers will confer nine awards including three grand and six honourable mention-awards worth Taka eight lakhs. A five-member international jury board from five countries --Bangladesh, Poland, South Korea, Indonesia and Japan—have selected the best works for awards.    

The month long (December1-31) biennale will exclusive showcase the time-honoured artistic and cultural heritage of Bangladesh and the exhibition is open from 11am to 8pm daily.