Some exhibitions demand attention through spectacle. Search Soul, Soil does the opposite. It invites visitors to slow down, observe and listen to the stories hidden beneath the surface of the land.
At La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), memory, nature and cultural heritage come together through the works of seven contemporary Bangladeshi artists, creating a thoughtful journey into humanity’s relationship with the environment.
The exhibition opened on Saturday under the curatorship of Kuntal Barai. Noted architect Shamsul Wares and eminent artist Moinuddin Khaled attended the inauguration as distinguished guests.
Featuring works by Banani Simlai, Dipro Bonik, Khaidem Sithi Sinha, Lutfa Mahmuda, Md Faijul Islam, Md Hashem and Ruposhree Hajong, the exhibition brings together distinct artistic voices united by concerns over ecology, cultural heritage and a rapidly changing environment.
Rather than presenting nature simply as a subject, the artists treat it as memory, identity and lived experience. Personal histories, indigenous traditions and observations of the natural world shape works that respond to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and the growing impact of climate change.
Together, they encourage viewers to reflect on the intertwined stories of land, people and survival while imagining possibilities for preservation and renewal.
Each artist offers a different perspective on the shared theme.
Banani Simlai explores the enduring relationship between food, soil and human survival, emphasising the interdependence of all living beings. Md Faijul Islam examines the consequences of acid rain and industrial pollution, revealing their lasting effects on ecosystems and everyday life.
Lutfa Mahmuda reflects on migration, identity and the emotional search for belonging in an increasingly interconnected world. Khaidem Sithi Sinha celebrates the cultural heritage of the Manipuri community through nature-inspired textiles rooted in indigenous craftsmanship.
Md Hashem transforms the destruction of hills and topsoil into compelling visual narratives of resilience, memory and survival.
Ruposhree Hajong draws on Hajong rituals and folklore to explore the spiritual relationship between indigenous communities and the natural world through textile-based installations.
Meanwhile, Dipro Bonik investigates the evolving relationship between landscape, ecology and human intervention, encouraging viewers to contemplate the fragile balance between nature and contemporary life.
Although each work speaks in its own visual language, together they form a larger conversation that reaches beyond aesthetics. The exhibition asks visitors to reconsider their relationship with the environment while recognising the cultural memories embedded within the land itself.
Search Soul, Soil will remain on display at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, until 28 July. The exhibition is open daily from 3pm to 9pm.
