Showcasing the scenic beauty of the hills and mountain regions of Rangamati and various means of subsistence of the locals and their customs, an exclusive group exhibition titled ‘Weaving Art of the Hills’ is currently being held at the Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts in the capital.

Organized by the Abinta Gallery alongside Ethnic Artists Forum, a platform for indigenious artists to express their views and thoughts towards art and culture, the exhibition was inaugurated on May 21.

Joined by Secretary (West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, renowned artist and art-maestro Professor Mustafa Monwar, Turkish Ambassador in Dhaka Mustafa Osman Turan and Managing Director at Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd Rupali Chowdhury as the guest of honor, the exhibition was presided by the Chairperson of Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts Nilu Rowshon Murshed.

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A total of 65 artworks are being showcased in this exhibition, made by 44 indigenous artists. Most of these artists are students of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Fine Arts College of different universities of the country, representing the Marma, Rakhine, Chakma, Tripura, Garo, Hajong, Koch and Manipuri ethnic groups.

Most of the artworks are made in watercolor on paper, and the guests at the inaugural ceremony lauded the artists’ usage of vivid colors depicting their thought-provoking artistic narratives, portraying the realest and often unseen beauty of Rangamati.

The Ethnic Artist Forum started its journey in 2019, founded by eminent indigenous painter Kanak Chanpa Chakma with 85 young and promising artists. 

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Among them, 50 artists participated in an exclusive art camp and the artworks in this exhibition were made in that camp at Rangamati, which was held in August 2019. However, the exhibition could not take place in 2020 and the following year due to global pandemic COVID-19..

Regarding the forum, its founding President Kanak Chanpa Chakma said, “Many of our talented indigenous artists are lagging behind and even getting lost due to lack of proper guidelines, support and inspiration. With the responsibility to assist them in their work and show their talent out to the world, the Ethnic Artist Forum was founded.”

The exhibition is open to all from 10 am to 6 pm till June 4.