United News of Bangladesh

The 13th Kibria Print Fair was inaugurated at Kalakendra in the capital’s Lalmatia on Friday, bringing together leading art studios and institutions from across Bangladesh to display a diverse range of printmaking artworks. Organised annually by the Kibria Printmaking Studio since 2012, the fair pays tribute to the late eminent printmaker Mohammad Kibria. Over the years, the event, popularly known as the "Kibria Mela," has served as a platform to make printmaking more accessible to artists and enthusiasts of arts. 'Lines of Imagination': Gallery Cosmos organises unique drawing exhibition by Biren Shome This year’s fair, which began on Friday, features artworks created using various printmaking techniques, including woodcut, intaglio, lithography, etching and others. Participating students and faculty members from reputed universities are showcasing their print artworks in this fair, and the institutions include the Department of Printmaking at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Art; the Painting-Oriental-Printmaking Department at Rajshahi University; Khulna University’s Printmaking Discipline; Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal, Mymensingh; Jagannath University; Islamic University, Kushtia; the University of Development Alternative (UODA); and Rabindra Maitree University, Kushtia. In addition, several independent and prominent studios and organisations, including the Cosmos Atelier 71, Bengal Arts Programme under Bengal Foundation, Safiuddin Printmaking Studio, Shunno Art Space, Mazumder's Print Land, Kaalnee Art Studio, and Kalakendra, are also showcasing their works. The inauguration ceremony on Friday was attended by several renowned artists, including eminent Bangladeshi painter and Dhaka University Drawing and Painting Department Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi as the chief guest. Cosmos Education hosts ‘Study Abroad Expo 2024’ Chaired by eminent artist Syed Abul Barq Alvi, also the Convenor of Kibria Print Studio, the inauguration ceremony was also joined by its special guest art connoisseur Mikhail Idris Islam, and esteemed artists including Shahid Kabir, Rashid Amin and Fareha Zeba.  

Emblazoning the innate artistic spirit of child artists in the city, Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71 arranged a daylong watercolour painting, printmaking and origami workshop titled ‘Inside Out’ at the Cosmos Centre, Malibagh, in the capital. From 11 am to 4 pm, more than 25 children from different parts of the world joined the event with their parents at the Cosmos Atelier71, showcasing their creative artworks in the workshop. The participating artists were from Bangladesh, Canada, India, Ireland, USA, Portugal and other countries, currently residing in Bangladesh. "It's a very unique and refreshing approach and a joyful experience for us and our children. They are the main attraction here today, and we thank the organizers for this remarkable initiative where our kids are showcasing their artistic freedom," said Mr Roman, who brought his daughter to the workshop. READ: Kalidas Karmakar’s 2nd death anniversary: Gallery Cosmos pays tribute with daylong event  Regarding the initiative, Bangladeshi artist and lecturer at the Yunnan Arts University, China, Mong Mong Sho told UNB that this kind of workshops are really necessary to thrive and celebrate the artistic passion of the children.