written by: News Desk
An international art exhibition titled ‘Bridging Horizons: A Visual Dialogue of Nature, Heritage and Innovation’ has opened in Dhaka, bringing together artistic perspectives from Bangladesh and Singapore with the aim of deepening cultural exchange between the two countries through the language of art.
Organised as part of the celebrations marking Singapore’s 61st National Day, the exhibition is jointly presented by the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in Dhaka and Alliance Française de Dhaka. Curated by artist and curator Harun ar Rashid Tutul, the exhibition was inaugurated on Friday, 14 August, at 5:30 pm at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, Dhanmondi.
According to the organisers, Bridging Horizons is more than an art exhibition; it serves as a platform for visual exchange between the artistic practices, cultural heritage, and contemporary ideas of the two countries. One of its key objectives is to strengthen the existing friendship and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Singapore by presenting different dimensions of nature, heritage, innovation, and shared cultural values through artworks.
The exhibition features selected works by artists from Singapore alongside works by 14 renowned Bangladeshi artists. It also presents works by six young Bangladeshi artists selected through a national open call. In this way, established artistic traditions are brought together with the perspectives of a new generation of artists.
The artworks explore various dimensions of the relationship between nature and humanity, cultural heritage, contemporary innovation, and the shared as well as evolving cultural identities of the two countries. By presenting the experiences of established artists alongside the fresh perspectives of younger practitioners, the exhibition creates a multidimensional artistic dialogue.
The exhibition is curated by Harun ar Rashid Tutul, Associate Professor in the Department of Graphic Design at the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka. His artistic practice extends across various media, including painting, video installation, and new media. He has been involved in numerous exhibitions and art initiatives both in Bangladesh and internationally.
Nature, environment, humanity, memory, and cultural heritage have remained recurring concerns in his artistic practice. Continuing this exploration, he presented his five-day solo exhibition ‘Lost Symbiosis’ at the Bakersfield campus of California State University in the United States in April-May 2026. The exhibition explored the relationship between humanity and nature, environmental realities, memory, and cultural heritage through his artworks.
These interconnected ideas of nature, heritage, and innovation also play an important role in the curatorial concept of Bridging Horizons. By bringing the distinct artistic traditions and contemporary practices of Bangladesh and Singapore into a shared space, the exhibition creates an opportunity for a broader cultural dialogue.
Building Bridges Through Art
Alongside diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Singapore, the two countries have also maintained a continuing tradition of cultural exchange. Bridging Horizons gains particular significance by bringing this relationship into the realm of contemporary art.
The exhibition offers audiences an opportunity to encounter selected works by Singaporean artists while also presenting the diversity of contemporary artistic practices in Bangladesh through the works of established and emerging Bangladeshi artists. In doing so, it creates a new space for greater understanding and exchange between the artistic communities of the two countries.
Another notable aspect of the exhibition is the juxtaposition of established artistic practices with the creative perspectives of younger artists. This not only highlights artistic heritage and continuity but also opens up a space for audiences to engage with the evolving language and new ideas of contemporary art.
The organisers expect Bridging Horizons to strengthen communication between artists and art enthusiasts from the two countries while further enriching the cultural relationship between Bangladesh and Singapore. At the same time, the exhibition allows viewers to consider how artists from different cultural contexts approach shared themes such as nature, heritage, and innovation.
For art enthusiasts, cultural practitioners, students, and general audiences, the exhibition offers an opportunity not only to experience the diversity of contemporary art but also to explore the cultural connections between Bangladesh and Singapore from a new perspective.
Exhibition: Bridging Horizons: A Visual Dialogue of Nature, Heritage and Innovation
Organisers: High Commission of the Republic of Singapore and Alliance Française de Dhaka
Curator: Harun ar Rashid Tutul
Venue: La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, Dhanmondi
Opening: 14 August 2026, 5:30 pm
Exhibition period: 14–19 August 2026
Visiting hours: Daily, 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
Open to all.
