Bangladesh’s art treasures deserve a global stage: Clare Hindle

Clare Hindle, Founding Director of the World Art Foundations, has shared her insights with Gallery Cosmos on Bangladesh’s art scene, highlighting the country’s remarkable treasures and diverse ways to connect people globally.

She made the remark at an event hosted by Gallery Cosmos at its Garden Gallery in Baridhara on Monday evening, welcoming Clare Hindle to Bangladesh, reports UNB.

Stressing the importance of art, Clare said, “Everybody, whether you're supporting artists, whether you're supporting museums, whether you're supporting communities that learn from the experiences held within, I feel that there's a lot of work to be done globally.”

Speaking at the event, Nahar Khan, executive director of the Cosmos Foundation and Gallery Cosmos, said they have long been dedicated to supporting arts and culture in Bangladesh. “We've served as a platform for emerging and established artists, both from Bangladesh and beyond, through initiatives such as artists exchanges, workshops and partnerships with global institutions”.

“Bangladesh has an incredibly vibrant and dynamic contemporary art scene, with artists continuously pushing boundaries, experimenting with new mediums, and telling stories that resonate both locally and globally”, Nahar Khan said.

Clare Hindle established the WAF membership programme which grew to 280 foundations across 48 countries.

“Clare’s work in advancing leadership, particularly for women in the arts, is truly inspiring, and we're delighted to have her here with us in Bangladesh for the first time,” said the executive director of the Cosmos Foundation.

Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet, in her speech, said the gallery has been active for more than 30 years, hosting various art initiatives.

“We have welcomed artists from around the world, fostering exchange programmes with numerous countries,” she said, adding that the gallery remains committed to supporting and promoting art and artists.

Expressing pleasure at having Clare in Bangladesh, Cosmos Foundation President Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said, “Going to events, fun events such as this one, is not quite folly, but very much a part of the lifestyle I was brought up with.”

Those attended the event included Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Andre Carstens, Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Jamil Khan, artists Jamal Ahmed, Bishwajit Goswami, Mahbubur Rahman, Taiyeba Begum Lipi, Shourav Chowdhury (Cosmos Gallery), and Farooq Sobhan.