Singapore-based Bangladeshi artist Jamil Khan’s solo exhibition titled ‘Inspiration’ was inaugurated on Saturday, November 11, at the Garden Gallery, Gallery Cosmos, in the capital’s Baridhara.

The exhibition parallels the human journey, showcasing around 40 magnificent artworks by the multitalented artist which were created in Singapore and Dhaka.

Using sketching on pencil, Acrylic, and oil paint, Jamil elevates the commonplace to a realm of vibrant expression. His vivid artworks become vessels for tales of connection, intimacy and raw emotion, offering the art admirers with a fusion of artistry and reality.

The inauguration ceremony of the exhibition on Saturday was joined by distinguished guests alongside family, friends and art admirers of artist Jamil Khan, who was born in one of the culturally significant families in Bangladesh, known for cordially patronising the country’s diverse arts and talented artists.

Cosmos Group and United News of Bangladesh (UNB) Chairman Amanullah Khan; eminent Bangladeshi conglomerate-author-patron of arts, UNB Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of Cosmos Group Enayetullah Khan; Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet; and Executive Director of Gallery Cosmos, Director at UNB, and Vice President of the Cosmos Group Nahar Khan were present at the inauguration ceremony.

Ekushey Padak-winning eminent Bangladeshi artist and Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art Professor Dr Farida Zaman, renowned Bangladeshi artist Afrozaa Jamil Konka, the 2023 Ekushey Padak awardee eminent artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma; Cosmos Foundation President, renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and others were also present at the event.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Enayetullah Khan said, “On this wonderful autumnal afternoon, it brings me tremendous joy to welcome you to this magnificent exhibition of Jamil. A variety of media, including oil paint, acrylic, and pencil sketches, were used to create these paintings. Most of these artworks he made while residing in Singapore, and after returning to Bangladesh, he worked in the Gallery Cosmos studio.”

“Credit goes to the artist and everyone associated with Gallery Cosmos, including Nahar Khan, Gallery Cosmos Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury, and, most importantly, Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet, for performing her responsibilities not only as a mother but also as an art promoter. This evening will always be marked as one of the most beautiful evenings of my life,” Enayetullah Khan said.

Tehmina Enayet said, “It’s been a profound pleasure for me as a mother to see Jamil’s solo exhibition ‘Inspiration’ coming to light today. As his mother, I realized that Jamil was quite artistically talented from a young age, and he was going to be an artist. I am so proud of him, and I want to thank our Gallery Cosmos team for working tirelessly on this exhibition.”

Nahar Khan said: “As Jamil’s youngest sister, I have been profoundly impacted by his passion for art. It has been an honor for me to see him on his path of self-discovery and grow as an artist. It was inspiring to observe how he has continued to work hard and foster his love and enthusiasm for the arts and this exhibition.”

Eminent artist Farida Zaman said, “I always heard about Jamil’s passion for art, and today I got to explore and understand that he is a great inherent of this wonderful cultural family. Even though Jamil spent most of his life abroad, he came here intending to repay some of his motherland's favors through his creative skill, which is admirable and inspiring."

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the guests and Gallery Cosmos, artist Jamil Khan said, “Art is my passion; art inspires me more than anything - and that intrigued me to name this exhibition ‘Inspiration’. The profound presence of our distinguished guests and family members has made this exhibition successful, and my sincere appreciation goes out to Nahar, my parents, and everyone else connected to Gallery Cosmos.”

The exhibition will be displayed throughout this week at Gallery Cosmos, Cosmos Centre, 69/1 New Circular Road, Malibagh, in the capital.