Aesthete: Different stories united in one canvas

On a slow afternoon at Alliance Française de Dhaka, I found myself walking into La Galerie, greeted by the most colourful and diverse range of artwork. 

From acrylic paintings to printwork and line drawings, with bronze and iron installations, the Aesthete exhibition brings together 29 emerging artists, showcasing 35 pieces in different styles and concepts. 

The exhibition allowed visitors to grow an appreciation for different types of mediums.

Each piece represents a unique visual language—a reflection of the artists' individual perspectives, lived experiences, and evolving styles.

One of the pieces that stood out was an installation titled Porichoy (Identity) by Bishwajit Goswami. He created the piece using electric cables, casts of sharis, glass beads, and manuscripts with white pigment. 

These are not materials that typically come to mind when we think of creating art, yet they came together to form a horse-like figure. The grandeur of the piece and the illusions it creates will immediately catch your attention.

"The idea was to bring artists of different styles together and celebrate various kinds of artwork. There's this notion that someone who does acrylic paintings might look down on someone doing line art, and at the same time, printmaking does not get the appreciation it deserves," shared Monjur Rashid, organiser and visual artist.

He continued, "So, to give each artist space under the same roof creates unity—that art in all forms should be celebrated."

Monjur Rashid's painting, 'Narrative of Beauty', acted as a pop of colour against the wide white wall of the gallery. It is a simple yet beautiful piece, with flowers blooming on a canvas of mustard yellow and butter yellow tones.

"We usually see just one kind of artwork in exhibitions, but here viewers will get to experience multiple styles, plus a different tale each artist has to share. Young artists will get inspiration for the kind of work they can explore," added the artist.

The exhibition offers a chance to shut your brain off from all the tabs that are open at all times and simply enjoy the moment and the beautiful artwork.

"Art is supposed to make you stop everything and think for a moment. It cannot be interpreted at a glance like a photograph; it needs to be looked at longer, and read between every stroke of work the artist has put in," concluded Monjur.

Aesthete runs from 8 July to 15 July 2025 at Alliance Française de Dhaka, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

TBS Picks

1. Eternal Existence-46 by Sourav Chowdhury

Medium: Etching Aquatint 

This intricate print features a golden-toned circular motif rich with mythological and symbolic elements. Set against a muted background, it evokes a sense of historical depth and spiritual storytelling.

2. Pixelated Presence by Ratnashwar Sutradhwar 

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

A striking woven portrait composed of alternating colour grids, this artwork blends warm tones and texture to depict a thoughtful face, merging abstraction with realism in a visually captivating checkerboard pattern.

3. Knit and Knot by Sumon Wahed

Medium: Acrylic, Glass Maker, Pen, Nepali paper on Canvas

A vibrant collage combining comic icons, historical machinery, and a charkha-bearing figure, this artwork explores layered narratives of resistance, labour, and identity through bold contrasts and playful visual storytelling.