The Garden Gallery Cosmos in Baridhara came alive on Tuesday evening with the inauguration of ‘An Duanaire: Visual Poems of the Dispossessed’, the first-ever solo exhibition in Bangladesh by an Irish artist, Oona Hyland.
The event marked a significant milestone in cultural collaboration between Ireland and Bangladesh, as part of the Ireland–Bangladesh Art Exchange Programme, jointly organized by Gallery Cosmos and the Embassy of Ireland.
Irish Ambassador to India and Bangladesh (based in New Delhi) Kevin Kelly inaugurated the exhibition, calling Hyland’s three-week residency in Dhaka “a vital step toward fostering creative collaboration and deepening cultural ties between the two nations.”
“Though we have no embassy in Bangladesh, Ireland shares a long history of partnership with this country through development cooperation, business, and now, art,” Ambassador Kelly said. “Oona’s work embodies that connection, exploring how creativity can serve as a moral and spiritual force, much in line with Tagore’s vision.”
The exhibition’s host, Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh and Deputy Managing Director of the Cosmos Group, Masud Khan, expressed his gratitude to both the Irish Embassy and Gallery Cosmos teams for their efforts in bringing the project to life.
“At first, I was worried about time and logistics,” Khan admitted. “But thanks to Oona’s tireless work and dedication, everything came together beautifully. She has been incredibly hardworking, pleasant, and inspiring to all of us.”
Khan also highlighted the importance of supporting artists through stable and meaningful residencies. “Ireland sets a wonderful example in this regard. These exchanges show how much we can learn from each other,” he said, noting the successful interaction between Hyland and Dhaka University’s Fine Arts faculty and students.
A graduate of the MMA in Art Research and Collaboration (IADT) and MPhil in Irish Art History (TCD), Hyland is an award-winning member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (London). Her global career spans residencies and exhibitions across South Korea, São Paulo, and the Venice Biennale (2024), with honors including the O’Malley Award and Agility Award.
Through “An Duanaire”, Hyland explores displacement, belonging, and creative transformation, juxtaposing Ireland’s rugged terrains with Bangladesh’s vibrant cultural landscape.
“I’m honored to be the first Irish artist to take part in this exchange,” Hyland said. “I’ve been absolutely blown away by the talent and professionalism of Bangladeshi artists. I truly hope this will be the beginning of many exchanges, where Bangladeshi artists also bring their brilliance to Ireland.”
The exhibition will continue at Gallery Cosmos, Cosmos Centre (69/1, New Circular Road, Malibagh) from November 5 to 27, open daily from 10 am to 8 pm.
