“Hawabibi In this City”, a solo exhibition by artist Shaily Shrabonti, was officially inaugurated at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) during the warm evening of last Monday (August 25). Shaily is a Dhaka-based visual artist who holds a BFA and MFA in Oriental Art from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. Her art reflects the struggles, resilience, and success of women in patriarchal societies.

"Bidrupe Bidroho", the six-day exhibition currently underway at La Gallerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, revives the spirit of resistance. Organised by Earki, the exhibition has been organised to mark the first anniversary of the July 2024 uprising, the 36-day-long people’s movement that culminated in the overthrow of the Awami League regime.

I have always seen an invisible halo, or perhaps a crown, atop my mother and her three sisters, especially since I was raised by a full‑time working single woman, as though they were goddesses reborn as women. These women—unstoppable, hyperactive, free‑spirited, self‑reliant, and compassionate—are my universe.

The exhibition flows from abstraction to figuration, from lyrical introspection to social critique. Visitors encounter personal mythologies, reinterpretations of folk traditions, and unflinching meditations on contemporary life, underscored by an Alliance Française de Dhaka press release.

The eternal message of Buddhist peace has blossomed in a new light at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka. The exhibition, titled “The Awakening to Sacred Peace: The Buddha of Bengal”, showcases the wealth of ancient Bengali painting traditions through the works of prominent and emerging Bangladeshi artists. This third edition of the Buddhist-themed exhibition, organised by the Oriental Painting Study Group and Learning Design Studio, reinterprets the aesthetic sensitivity of Buddhist tradition and the spirit of Buddha in Bengal.

Directed by French playwright Zazie Hayoun Jazzy, “Song of Hawkers” focuses on the daily lives of Dhaka's hawkers through three light-hearted stories—“The Secret”, “The Thief Rewarded”, and “The Competition”.

Titled “Rickshaw Artistry: A World Heritage”, the exhibition highlights vibrant, hand-painted posters of superhit films, including the legendary action movie “Shodor Ghater Kuli”, which starred renowned Dhallywood actor Rubel and was directed by Raqibul Alam Raqib.

Young artists have utilised their creativity to address pressing issues such as inequality, gender-based violence, and the need to challenge outdated societal norms. Through their powerful work, they convey a strong commitment to driving change and transforming individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

In her current body of work, Élise finds inspiration in the intricate symmetry of geometric forms, exploring a shared language between art and science. Her pieces “Classroom” and “Roméo & Juliette – Mathematician Version” epitomise her commitment to merging mathematical calculation with creative expression.

Featuring more than 50 events, the festival will showcase architectural designs, artworks, photography, installation pieces, and performing arts, hosted in multiple venues around Korail as well as at Shala Neighbourhood Art Space, Gallery 101, and Alliance Française de Dhaka.

The French language school Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), also adept at art exhibitions, and activities promoting a dynamic exchange between Europe and Bangladesh, marked its 65th anniversary with an extensive lineup of events, showcasing a seamless fusion of Bengali and French culture.

Through the artistes’ use of puppetry and physical movement, the invisible becomes visible, offering a glimpse into the unseen forces shaping the world around us. From "tree ghosts" blamed for Dhaka's infamous traffic to the "ectoplasm" holding up the city’s walls, the show plays with the supernatural in ways that are both whimsical and profound.

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) is currently hosting “Beyond the Gaze”, showcasing a profound exploration of intimacy, identity, and isolation through the lens of emerging photographers and artists. The exhibition features works from the PSA: Beyond the Gaze 2023–2024 workshop, an initiative supported by Photo South Asia under the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, and partnered with AFD and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi, India.

Suranjana Bhattacharja's journey into the world of art took a unique turn when she was diagnosed with Dystrophy around a decade ago, causing partial disability in her left hand. Despite the challenges posed by this chronic condition, she found solace in her passion for sewing. Inspired by artists like Kandinsky, she ventured into stitched collage, a novel form of artistic expression. The inception of this exhibition can be traced back to a pivotal moment in Suranjana's life while residing in Montreal. Struck by the parallels between her own journey and that of renowned artists like Matisse, who persisted in creating despite physical limitations, she found renewed determination to pursue her craft.

Each painting in the exhibition tells a unique story, inspired by folklore, mythology, and the artist’s own imagination. From lush forests teeming with wildlife to bustling village scenes and joyous Boishakh festivities, they offer a glimpse into a world of beauty, wonder, and timeless tradition. He employs a unique blend of folk motifs, indigenous symbols, and captivating fables, to weave a narrative enriched in cultural significance. Some paintings also have references to other art forms, like nakshi katha and rickshaw painting, to name a few.

The intimate solo art exhibition "Home" by the promising artist Nasrin Jahan Onika has recently unfolded at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka in Dhanmondi. The inauguration, graced by internationally acclaimed artist Monirul Islam, distinguished art critic Moinuddin Khaled, and art connoisseur and Shasha Denims Limited Director Zareen Mahmud Hosein as special guests, took place on March 1 with great fervour.

Last week, on February 15, 2024, Alliance Française de Dhaka hosted a book launching event for Dr Mahbubur Rahman’s 'L'État, C'est Moi'

Alliance Française de Dhaka treated music enthusiasts to a mesmerising evening of classical music on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at its Dhanmondi premises. The event featured the renowned French pianist, Maxime Zecchini, and accomplished violinist Isabelle Durin in a unique collaboration that showcased their individual artistry.

Dhanmondi has always had a cultural identity of its own – be it the grand two-storeyed family bungalows, the sounds of rehearsals at Chhayanaut, the majestic Eidgah Masjid, or the playfields that kids flocked to. Even with the sprawling high-rise buildings, Dhanmondi, its lake, and its street stalls still maintain its rustic charm.

At Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (AFD), a gallery brims with the seamless integration of poetry and paintings, each element complementing the other in a harmonious blend. One can easily get lost in the artistic world that Reza Asad Al Huda Anupam has created for his second solo exhibition “Poetrimage”, the opening of which took place at AFD yesterday.