Showcasing 125 majestic artworks of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Gallery Chitrak organised an exclusive exhibition titled “Struggle” (Sangram) at Dhanmondi in the capital.

Curated by Sumon Wahed, Assistant Professor at the Dhaka University Department of Fine Art, the exhibition is displaying artworks from the personal collections of the Zainul family, with around 80 artworks being displayed for the first time.

The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held on Tuesday evening at Gallery Chitrak, which was inaugurated by eminent artist, art maestro and master painter Rafiqun Nabi.

Summit Group Chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan joined the inauguration ceremony as the special guest, and the ceremony was presided over by popular thespian, former Cultural Affairs Minister and Awami League lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor.

Advisory committee members of the exhibition including Shilpacharya’s son Engineer Mainul Abedin, DU Faculty of Fine Art Dean Nisar Hossain and DU Department of Bangla Chairman Syed Azizul Huq joined the inauguration ceremony, alongside Gallery Chitrak Executive Director Md Muniruzzaman and other distinguished members from the country’s art sphere.

“Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was not only an artist and art educator; he was an institution himself. For the first time, Shilpacharya’s 125 majestic artworks from the personal collection of the Abedin family are being exhibited in this exclusive exhibition, and this is a great opportunity for the art admirers to explore the historic and influential artworks of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin,” Rafiqun Nabi said at the event. 

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Emphasizing the necessity of a permanent art exhibition in the city, Asaduzzaman Noor said, “In major cities around the world, permanent exhibitions are very common which can enlighten the art admirers from home and beyond. With the historic and iconic artworks of our Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, who was well-respected by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a permanent exhibition should be strongly and wisely considered.”

Talking about the exhibition with UNB, Mainul Abedin said that "Struggle" is a homage from the Abedin family on the occasion of the country's Golden Jubilee of Independence. “As the title of the exhibition suggests, these works are representing the voice of the voiceless; and we are happy to share these exclusive artworks for this exhibition in the glorious month of our victory in the Liberation War of Bangladesh,” he told UNB.

“Various aspects of this ‘Struggle’ in human history are revealed through the works of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, because the human being is at the centre of his creations. We see this human being engaged in a desperate struggle to survive against the man-made famine of 1943, and also becomes a symbol of hope despite losing everything in the natural disaster in 'Manpura 70'. He has also glorified the daily survival struggle of marginalized people in his creations, and all these were the motivation behind this exhibition for us,” curator Sumon Wahed told UNB. 

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“Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was one of the leading figures in the cultural struggle to liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan. His heart and brush were active for the Palestinian refugee camps in the Middle East. Altogether, he was always an advocate for the strugglers, and he was equally devoted to the establishment of the art institution, preservation and expansion of folk art in the country after independence. We are grateful to the Abedin family to allow us on showcasing his amazing works in this historic month for the art admirers,” Wahed added.

Two exclusive publications - a book featuring all the artworks that are being displayed in the exhibition and an album featuring 80 artworks of Shilpacharya that are being displayed for the first time, were launched at the opening ceremony.

The exhibition will welcome art enthusiasts till December 31, every day from 11 am to 8 pm.