In a testament of how the power of art can transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, allowing the world to communicate and connect on a profoundly human level to ensure the nature of coexistence in society - the 10th Geoje International Art Festival is being held in Busan, South Korea, where Bangladeshi artists brought glory for their motherland. 11 Bangladeshi well-known artists and their artworks were selected for the 10th Geoje International Art Festival for the Haegeumgang Theme Museum. A total of 341 artists from 56 countries participated in the first-ever virtual jury process of artwork selection for the one-of-a-kind museum, where all artworks were selected and voted virtually and will be in the museum’s permanent collection. Out of 273 chosen artworks, only 18 works were shortlisted for the prestigious “Excellence Award” - and three Bangladeshi artists - Abu Kalam Shamsuddin, Azmeer Hossain and Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71 Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury, were voted and received the honour for Bangladesh, from 56 countries. Apart from the awardees, the other Bangladeshi renowned artists who participated in the art festival are Rokeya Sultana, Vinita Karim, Anukul Mojumder, Ratnashwar Sutradhar, Tahmina Hafiz Lisa, Mahadi Masud, Asma Akbar and Nazia Andaleeb Preema. Their artworks will be on display for the museum’s permanent collection. Nazia Andaleeb Preema is the distinguished juror and curator for Bangladesh who believes “Coexistence is the only way to exist” while Heidi Fosli is the jury president for the festival. Sharing her experience with UNB, Preema said: “The theme of the 10th Geoje International Art Festival was ‘Language of Coexistence’ - and I believe ‘Coexistence is the only way to exist’ - means that we need to collaborate to ensure our peaceful and meaningful existence in this world. This exhibition was a perfect example of that, where the artists did not compete but elevated themselves while getting to know each other, upholding their respective country's name with glory. It was a remarkable experience for us, the Bangladeshi artists - and we have learned a lot.” Read: Goethe-Institut, AFD host Jazz evening in Dhaka “As one of the 21 international jurors from 20 countries worldwide and the curator for our Bangladeshi artists, I got to observe closely how South Korea is creating a great example of coexistence for art, culture and technology,” Preema continued. “We must keep in mind that we are now living in the era of AI - and South Korea is one of the leading countries in terms of advancing modern technology. This was the first-ever virtual jury process of artwork selection for a museum, and apart from their world-famous Korean hospitality, they really know how to honour art and artists, something that we can learn from them even better,” Preema told UNB, adding that soft power like art is a very critical discourse to brand Bangladesh as a nation, as it deals with culture, identity and creative leadership. The inauguration of the festival commenced on November 6th, and the award-winning artists from Bangladesh joined the prestigious gala and reunion of artists, curators, museum directors and galleries from all over the world. After returning from that ceremony, Sourav Chowdhury told UNB that it had been a tremendous experience altogether for many reasons.  

Several Bangladeshi artists were honoured in multiple categories for enthralling audiences, transcending the borders between the two Bengala at the Kolkata 20th Tele Cine Awards on Sunday (June 4, 2023). Eminent Bangladeshi thespian-painter Afzal Hossain received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while "Hawa"-famed star Chanchal Chowdhury received the award for best actor. Bidya Sinha Mim received best actress for her stellar performance in "Poran" and Bappy Chowdhury received a special award at the 2023 edition of the award. Popular singer Bappa Mazumder received best male singer, and Samina Chowdhury was awarded best female singer at the awards, held at the Nazrul Mancha in Kolkata. Also read: “Nodir Kul”: Coke Studio Bangla’s tranquil ode to Polli Kobi Jashimuddin “For such a long time, we have been trying to take Bangla content to a whole new level. Owing to unforeseen circumstances, we couldn't screen our films and dramas here for many years but we are glad that now our audiences are able to enjoy our content," said Chanchal Chowdhury. “I want to express my gratitude to the jury board and all of the participants and everyone associated with this event. I also want to express my gratitude to all of my listeners and well-wishers. Stay well everyone, and keep supporting our Bengali music," Bappa Mazumder wrote on his official Facebook profile. At the 19th edition of the Tele Cine Awards in 2022, a number of Bangladeshi artists were honoured namely Momtaz Begom, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Mir Sabbir, Deepanwita Martin, Masud Hasan Ujjal, SI Tutul, Chanchal Chowdhury, Zakia Bari Mamo and Anika Tasnim. Also Read: Concert,  documentary to raise awareness against human trafficking in Cox's Bazar The Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 was handed over to eminent singer Runa Laila and evergreen Bangladeshi actor Alamgir, while late actor-politician Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque MP received the honour in 2021.

Aiming to showcase the enthralling art initiatives by talented young Bangladeshi artists created during the quarantine period in COVID-19, a special exhibition titled Brihatta Home Art Project 2020 was inaugurated at Bengal Shilpalay, Dhanmondi, in the capital on Saturday. Brihatta Art Foundation, which launched the ‘Home Art Project 2020’ last year to support artists continuing their artistic practice in the comfort of their own residences during the ongoing global pandemic, initiated this special three-month-long exhibition showcasing the art projects of 14 artists.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami on Saturday laid emphasis on an increased collaboration between Bangladeshi and Indian young artists to put together new ideas of art and reach out to more people through art.

The 26th death anniversary of renowned artist Sheikh Mohammed Sultan (SM Sultan) is being observed in a befitting manner on Saturday.

German language school and cultural organization Gothe-Institut Bangladesh has launched a funding initiative titled “Futures beyond the Self” for all Bangladeshi artists/artistes, art collectives, cultural activists, and cultural organizations for their innovative projects.

Marking National Mourning Day and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first-ever virtual art, photography and multimedia exhibition on Bangabandhu, titled ‘BRAVE HEART’, got underway on Friday.

A nine-day online Miniature Art Project DOOB (Immersion) will begin on Thursday. Young Bangladeshi artist Azizee Fawmi Khan is the initiator of this project which is her very first attempt at art curation. The virtual art project will be showcased on social media platforms from June 25 to July 3. Azizee said Doob is an independent and multidisciplinary online based 'Miniature' art project intended to showcasing nine emerging young artists' works from Bangladesh.