VICINITY the art of proximity in Chittagong

With a view to enhance the social proximity between the people of Bangladesh and India, a four-day visual arts exhibition, titled “Vicinity” began in Chittagong city from Monday.

At the Zainal Abedin Arts gallery of Chittagong Shilpakala Academy, the exhibition will continue from December 28 to 31. A total of over 40 paintings and sculptors from six artists -- two from India and four from Bangladesh are being exhibited in the exhibition.

The featured artists are Kolkatha-based sculptor Anita Bhattacharya, Tripura-based artist Dipika Shaha, and Chittagong based Fahima Binte Zahed Jemmy, Kingshuk Das Chowdhury, Ripon Saha and Sharad Das.

Somnath Halder, Assistant Indian High Commissioner of Chittagong, inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest on Monday evening. “This exhibition would embolden the bond between the people of Bangladesh and India”, he said.

Artists Dhali Al Mamun and Alam Khorshed, Founding Director of Bistaar: Chittagong Arts Complex, were present as the special guests at the ceremony.

In his speech, Sharad Das, an Assistant Professor of Institute of Fine Arts of Chittagong University, said the practice of arts and culture is the only way to eradicate the tension, terrorism and turmoil in our society.

Kinghsuk said he has been organising the art exhibition with the title “Vicinity” since 2009. So far, two exhibitions have been organised in India and Bangladesh with the artists of the two countries.