The 24th Young Artists Fine Arts Exhibition 2025 opened on Thursday at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA)’s National Art Gallery, which began in 1975 as a small art biennale and now stands firmly as the country’s most trusted platform for identifying the next generation of contemporary artists.
The opening drew a mix of veteran artists, students and critics, all intent on witnessing the latest cohort of emerging creators. Their works, spanning painting to new media, underscore why the exhibition remains indispensable: it captures the evolving ambitions of Bangladesh’s young and talented art practitioners.
The opening ceremony was joined by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki as the chief guest, while eminent artists Professor Dr Abdus Sattar and Professor Mostafizul Haque joined as special guests. presided over by the BSA Director General Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (poet Rezauddin Stalin). BSA Fine Arts Department Director Abdul Halim Chanchal delivered the welcome remarks, while the event was presided over by the BSA Director General Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (poet Rezauddin Stalin).
In his address, Farooki stressed that recognition can never be the true measure of artistic merit. Referencing Van Gogh’s difficult life and posthumous renown, he urged young artists to cultivate an authentic signature and engage honestly with their inner struggles.
“Every artist, painter, writer, filmmaker, musician, longs to leave their mark beneath the work. We create to confront our wounds, because art has the healing power,” the Cultural Adviser stated.
Questioning why the Young Artists Exhibition still operates as a biennale, Farooki argued that it should return as an annual showcase to better serve emerging practitioners. He added that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs is also considering a name change for the Asian Art Biennale, another of the Academy’s flagship events, hinting that the revised title may incorporate the name Dhaka.
Presiding over the ceremony, Rezauddin Stalin reiterated the Academy’s ambition to bring the institution closer to young practitioners and the wider public. “Our responsibility is to present Bangladeshi art internationally and introduce our artists to global audiences,” he said, adding that the Academy is being redesigned for a new phase of cultural engagement.
This year, 681 artists aged 21 to 35 submitted 1,393 works, from which 191 artists with 215 artworks were selected. The mediums span painting, sculpture, oriental art, craft, ceramics, photography, installation, performance, and new media.
This year, ten awards were handed over at the ceremony. Asfiqul Rahman received the Young Artist Award 2025; while Seema Mondal and Nur e Ala Siddique won second and third prizes respectively.
Seven artists received honorary awards: Md Tanvir Ahmed Joy, Lekhanesha Khatun, Md Imtiaj Islam, Riturupa Talukdar Sathi, Jinnatun Jannat, Naznin Ahmed, and Antara Mehrukh Azad. The top prize carries BDT 200,000 and a gold-coated medal; the second and third awards carry BDT 150,000 and BDT 100,000 respectively; each honorary award is valued at BDT 75,000.
Two curated segments accompany this year’s edition. Eight universities, Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Jahangirnagar, Khulna, Jagannath, Kazi Nazrul, and Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, along with Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA), presented institutional curated shows.
A new addition titled ‘Rupantar’ showcases works by 12 invited young artists, curated by Manjur Ahmed with support from three assistant curators. While curated components are well established internationally, this is the Academy’s first such initiative within the Young Artists Exhibition.
The award jury was chaired by Professor Mostafizul Haque of the Faculty of Fine Art, Dhaka University and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Shanto-Mariam University. Jury members included artist Reza Asad Al Huda Anupam, artist Anisuzzaman Sohel, artist Yasmin Jahan Nupur, and artist Imam Hossain Sumon.
The display of the 215 selected works was overseen by artists Tarun Ghosh, Kaisar Hasan Togor and Jihan Karim.
The 24th Young Artists Fine Arts Exhibition will continue till December 22 at Galleries 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 of the National Art Gallery, open daily from 11 to 8 pm.
