‘The Long Present’: Bangladesh’s most significant artists occupy Bengal’s canvas

After the tumultuous 60s, a great number of Bangladeshi artists have carried the torch of artistic practice throughout the next four decades. Their work went through addition, revision, and revolution due to social, political, and religious reasons. But it has remained prominently alive and inspired the next generations of visual artists and art enthusiasts. On the evening of a hot summer weekend, Bengal Shilpalay inaugurated an exhibition featuring these influential artists of Bangladesh who shaped our art and culture.

The inauguration ceremony of this exhibition, titled “The Long Present”, was attended by Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury MP, the Finance and Planning Minister of Bangladesh, as the chief guest. The stage was shared by participating artists Rafiqun Nabi, Mohammad Eunus, and Kanak Chanpa Chakma, and the Chairperson of Bengal Foundation, Abul Khair.

Amir Khasru, in his speech, spoke about the importance of monetising arts and crafts and establishing a creative economy. He said, “Without monetising art, we cannot save our artisans at the grassroots level and in urban areas. We need to support our smiths, potters, sculptors, architects, and artists in the visual and performing arts to preserve our roots and our culture. We must also learn from South Koreans and promote our traditional music.” He praised the government’s initiatives for artistic and cultural practices, especially their inclusion in elementary education, and expressed his gratitude.

Moreover, Kanak Chanpa Chakma stated her appreciation for Bengal Foundation in upholding our art and culture on the international platform. Mohammad Eunus spoke about how countries like Japan have developed economies not only because of their infrastructural systems, but also because of their flourishing creative industries. He added that creativity has the power to prevent children and teenagers from going astray. The inauguration ceremony was hosted by the Director General of Bengal Foundation, Luva Nahid Chowdhury.

"The Long Present” displays the work of 15 of the nation’s finest artists: Hashem Khan, Rafiqun Nabi, Abdus Shakoor Shah, Nazlee Laila Mansur, Farida Zaman, Mohammad Eunus, Jamaluddin Ahmed, Ranjit Das, Ahmed Shamsuddoha, Shishir Bhattacharjee, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Mohammad Iqbal, Maksuda Iqbal Nipa, Kamal Uddin, and Sahid Kazi.

The first-floor gallery of Bengal Shilpalay is currently adorned with large canvases. As every participant is a seasoned artist, some of them living legends, most visitors can identify the artist simply by looking at a painting. We are all familiar with Rafiqun Nabi’s Tokai (street children). Several generations of students following the national curriculum have used textbooks illustrated predominantly by Hashem Khan and Rafiqun Nabi. Farida Zaman’s minimalistic yet impactful paintings are in perfect contrast to Mohammad Eunus’s maximalist yet eye-soothing art.

Nazlee Laila Mansur’s signature style of vibrant, saturated colours and patterns has given birth to rebellious, thought-provoking paintings, one of which depicts environmental destruction. Kanak Chanpa Chakma’s paintings of Indigenous people and their lifestyles are graceful and elegant, as always. There are realistic, surrealist, abstract, and many other genres of artwork that can enrich the soul.

The exhibition serves not only an educational purpose but is also therapeutic. It is open to all from June 13, 2026, to July 4, 2026.