Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) has launched 'Listening Beyond Sight', a solo photography exhibition by artist Arif Abdullah, offering visitors a unique exploration of creativity that transcends conventional visual boundaries.

The exhibition opened on Friday evening at La Galerie, Dhanmondi. Md Abul Bashar, Strategy Consultant at Abul Khair Group of Companies, attended the opening ceremony as the special guest.

Arif Abdullah, who began his artistic journey with a passion for photography during his school years, has developed a multidisciplinary practice that spans music, songwriting, and sound design.

His artistic trajectory underwent a significant transformation while studying Fine Arts, when he was diagnosed with Choroideremia, a rare genetic condition causing progressive vision loss.

Rather than ceasing his creative pursuits, Arif pivoted to new forms of expression. He became a self-taught professional harmonica player and expanded his expertise to include traditional wind instruments from various cultures, even crafting and adapting his own instruments.

Reflecting on his approach to photography, Arif stated, "When we set colour aside, we begin to notice other visual elements more clearly — lines, shapes, shadows and textures. This allows us to look beyond colour and better understand the visual language of a scene."

The exhibition serves as a testament to resilience, inviting audiences to reconsider the relationship between perception and art, and how creative expression can evolve through changing circumstances.

'Listening Beyond Sight' is open to the public daily from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and will run through October 20, 2026.