TALK: BURGEONING ART SCENE IN BANGLADESH | London, Revolution Gallery

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The newly opened Revolution Gallery in Central London is a groundbreaking art venue, the first in the UK dedicated to representing the very best artists from Bangladesh. This includes legendary figures such as Zainul Abedin, Rashid Choudhury, and Quamrul Hassan — as well as new talents like Rakib Alam Shanto — bridging the gap between traditional and modern Bangladeshi art.

Revolution Gallery is hosting a talk on the bourgeoning art scene in Bangladesh, Wednesday 10 July, 6:30pm, offering attendees a unique glimpse into the vibrant art culture of Bangladesh.

Tasleema Alam and Nelson Ferreira, both renowned artists, recently returned from Bangladesh where they served as visiting lecturers in Fine Arts at Dhaka University. Their experiences have provided them with firsthand insight into the burgeoning talent emerging from this culturally rich nation. They will be sharing their observations and experiences during the talk, shedding light on the current explosion of artistic talent in Bangladesh.

Tasleema Alam, a distinguished expert in Islamic Art and the owner of Traditional Ateliers, has an impressive portfolio of collaborations with prestigious institutions like Turquoise Mountain, ITHRA and South Bank. She is the first Bangladeshi female artist to collaborate on Royal Commissions for HM King Charles III, in honour of his coronation, further underlining her esteemed status in the art community.

Nelson Ferreira (another Royal Commissioned artist) is known for his mastery in classical drawing and painting techniques; he is a visiting lecturer at several universities and art museums globally. His expertise is further recognized by his teaching engagements: including teaching Walt Disney and ILM artists. Since 2022 alone, his artworks have been seen by about 300,000 people at exhibitions in UK, Portugal, Italy, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

This talk presents a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts, collectors, and academics to gain insight into the evolving landscape of Bangladeshi art and to engage with two insightful voices in the field. Attendees will have the chance to explore the Revolution Gallery’s collection and witness the confluence of heritage and innovation that discerns Bangladeshi art as a rising tiger within the umbrella of South Asia.

Date: Wednesday, 10 July 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Revolution Gallery, 12a Little Portland St, London, W1W 8BJ (Oxford Circus)

Follow Revolution Gallery online and on Instagram. 

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REFLECTIONS | London, Anna Steinhouse Fine Art Gallery

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Following a diverse showcase of work at the International Biennale of Alentejo in Portugal, International Contemporary Artist Group (ICAG) is back with their London debut exhibition: “Reflections” at Anna Steinhouse Fine Art Gallery, Primrose Hill, from Saturday the 16th to Sunday the 24th of September, 2023.

Showcasing pieces including painting, drawing, photography, and multimedia, “Reflections” explores each artist’s personal connection with nature, as well as the intricate threads that connect us to our environment.  30% of proceeds from sales are being donated to ICAG’s partner, prominent environmental charity “Client Earth”.

From the detailed work of Nazira Bibi, which uses techniques gleaned from Indian Miniature painting and Islamic geometry, to the sensitive abstract paintings of Vivi Ximenes, this exhibition confidently explores the power of nature as a refuge and point of reflection for humanity, while underscoring its growing fragility, as a resource requiring ever more careful stewardship.

Lucille Dweck’s “Wonder in the Water” transports us to a magical moment of serene contemplation, where a woman in a leopard-print bikini becomes enmeshed in the shimmering light that surrounds her.  Across Dweck’s work, a rich colour palette and mesmerising mark-making invites viewers to reflect on the magical quality of moments in nature.

Karen Wood’s “Ocean Reflections” captures the complex interplay between man-made structures and the unbounded fluidity of water, through the joyful mix of abstracted geometric shapes and industrial colour.

There’s something for just about everyone, including works absorbed in moments of natural serenity like Anna Steinhouse’s “Immersion” — or works that interrogate the nature of perception itself through sculptural multimedia techniques, like Martina Lang’s “Fantom Blues”.

“Reflections” at the Anna Steinhouse Fine Art Gallery is a celebration of art, nature, and the power of global collaboration.  Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the profound works of these international artists, all while supporting the important environmental initiatives of Client Earth.  Purchase a piece of art, and contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for our planet.  Visit the gallery in Primrose Hill, and let “Reflections” inspire your own connection with the world around you.

For a full list of artists – see below:

Andrea Sargeant is a contemporary Anglo-Italian watercolourist known for her sensory atmospheric watercolours and Romantic dreamscapes, inspired by the peace and harmony of natural habitats.

Anna Steinhouse-Kandelaki is a London-based artist born in Georgia. She focuses on portraiture, individual life stories, and compositions with the figure in space.

Francesca Arcidiaco, originally from Sicily, explores Western and Japanese aesthetics in her meditative portraits, bridging cultures through her art.

Karen Wood draws inspiration from industrial color, geometric shapes, and lines. Her work captures hidden spaces within structures and in this exhibition explores the relationship between land and water.

Lucille Dweck creates images of the natural world, reflecting the magical, spiritual aspect of being immersed in nature. Her paintings have been described as ‘romantic’ and full of love for nature – though figurative they simultaneously show the marks and brushstrokes used.

Martina Lang explores tactile shapes through light and shade. Her work challenges viewers’ perception, questioning gravity and dimensions within the frame.

Nelson Ferreira specializes in combining classical technique and contemporary materials. His art captures the spirit of the sitter and aims to soothe and provoke contemplation.

Sara Taukolonga draws inspiration from classical drawing and painting techniques. Her artwork explores local people and events, creating emotive narratives.

Vivi Ximenes creates a visual dialogue through abstract painting, exploring imperfect beauty and connecting with the subconscious.

Nazira Bibi‘s work is inspired by Islamic geometric art, combining traditional materials and techniques to explore the underlying order in patterns and nature.

“Reflections” runs at Anna Steinhouse Fine Art Studio 16 – 24 September 2023.

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RE:IMAGINING MUSICALS | London, V&A Museum

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A new free musical theatre exhibition has been announced at London’s V&A Museum from 15 October 2022, featuring previously unseen items from their theatre and performance collections.

Re:Imagining Musicals will celebrate some of our best-loved musicals, from Miss Saigon to My Fair Lady, and Six the Musical to Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and will explore their cultural significance.

The museum said: “Re:Imagining Musicals will explore how musicals have been adapted, revived, and retold for new audiences and reimagined against cultural and historical contexts.”

Considering how extensive the V&A’s collection of modern and ancient theatre artefacts is already, this is set to be a fantastic opportunity for all theatre lovers. It’s definitely worth a visit to the V&A before October 15, too, to check out the current free exhibition, including costumes from War Horse and The Lion King, and set design models from London productions throughout the decades.

Re:Imagining Musicals opens at the V&A Museum in South Kensington on 15 October.

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STITCHES IN TIME | Hong Kong, Central MTR Station

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This exhibition is a showcase of hand-embroidered works of Ms Nikki Delport-Wepener and her students from the Les Designs Studio: a celebration of what can be achieved with the needle. The students are from many different countries, and it is this cosmopolitan mix that allows the uniqueness of the individual to shine through.

The common denominator is the love of hand stitching. The designs and techniques viewed throughout the exhibition are a culmination of many years of tuition and expertise from Nikki.

Nikki aims to increase the public’s awareness of the arts, and in particular, of mixed media hand embroidery. Nikki and her students share their joy in creative stitching by showcasing images of the lifestyle in Hong Kong, as well as the flora and fauna around the world.

These displays are a mixed range of Nikki’s stitches and techniques she teaches the students. The themes on display are based on flora around the world This particular display shows different interpretations of flowering plants, flowers in bloom, Fynbos, flower and creature samplers, decorated cheongsams and aprons that are created as two-dimensional and three-dimensional images; a variety of stitches and techniques have been used in each design, every embroidered piece has been carefully crafted over several months.

Check out the whole exhibition for free at Central MTR Exit J, 13 July – 10 September 2021.

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XIN LI: SURE THINGS | Hong Kong, Mihn 宀 Gallery

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This free, one-night micro-exhibition of ten photo prints is typical of Mihn 宀 Gallery’s edgy, pop-up art space. It’s Xin Li’s first ever solo-exibition, but the Norwegian photographer’s distinctive style belies her years. She describes the slightly comical still-lifes as “self-portraits”: despite being photographed years apart from each other, there is a cohesiveness to this collection, hung from a central circular rail like socks on a washing line.

It’s clear to see Xin Li returning to her Chinese heritage in “Sweet Tooth”, with traditional Chinese coins packed into a grey, unappetising plate of jelly in a darkened room. Elsewhere, fine china chopsticks, and a face mask covered in kids’ plastic gems, also show us a kitschy, Asian aesthetic.

Mihn 宀 Gallery was established just a year and a half ago in October 2018, but the exhibitions are clearly popular with Hong Kong’s artsy crowd. Their goal is to provide an accessible and autonomous platform for emerging artists to exhibit and sell their work. The name “Mihn” (宀) derives from Chinese Radical 40, signifying a “roof”.

The gallery itself works out of a small hipster night-club on the fourth floor of a building in Sheung Wan, with the DJ booth occupying slightly more space than the artist’s own work. Exhibitions are free, with a reasonably-priced bar open to all. ADSL by PABO (aka Julien Pradier) is coming up next week, promising some pop-art style, computer-generated offerings.

Follow Mihn 宀 Gallery on Instagram.

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