The 24th edition of Young Artist Fine Arts Exhibition 2025, or Nabin Shilpi Charukala Exhibition, oragnized by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, begins today on its premises in the capital.
The exhibition will run for 12 days at galleries 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 of the National Art Gallery, with daily viewing hours from 11 am to 8 pm.
A significant pool of 1,393 artworks was submitted by young artists, aged 21 to 35, for this year's exhibition.
The selection committee carefully chose 215 works by 191 artists to be featured. The exhibition is comprehensive, including almost all mediums such as painting, sculpture, oriental art, crafts, pottery, photography, installation art, performance art, and new media art.
The selection committee members included artist Professor Naima Haque (Dhaka University), artist Tarun Ghosh, artist Dr. Mohammad Ali (Dean, Department of Fine Arts, Rajshahi University), artist Ajmir Hossain and artist Asmita Alam Shammi (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University).
This year introduces two specially curated art presentations. Following previous practice, eight universities—Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Jahangirnagar, Khulna, Jagannath, National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, and Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA)—have presented their curated shows. A new addition is a curated presentation by 12 invited young artists titled ‘Rupantor’ (Transformation).
A total of ten artworks from the 191 selected artists will be nominated for awards.
The top winner of the 'Nabin Shilpi Charukla Puraskar 2025' will receive BDT two lakh and a gold-coated medal.
The second prize is BDT 1.50 lakh and the third prize is BDT one lakh. There are also seven honorary awards, each valued at Taka 75,000; while the rules typically provide for five, two additional awards were included based on the judges' recommendation and the Director General's consent.
The Judicial Committee was led by President Professor Mostafizul Haque, with members including artist Reza Asad Al Huda Anupam, prominent artists Anisuzzaman Sohel and Yasmin Jahan Nupur, and artist Imam Hossain Sumon (Jagannath University).
It was noted at the press conference that although international standard curated presentations are common globally, this marks the first time such presentations are being featured at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Manjur Ahmed served as the curator for the event, leading a team that included three assistant curators.
Meanwhile, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is expected to inaugurate the exhibition today at 4 pm while Artist Professor Dr Abdus Sattar and Professor Mostafizul Haque will be special guests at the inaugural ceremony.
Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (Rezauddin Stalin) will preside it.
The organizers said that the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's 'Nabin Shilpi Charukala Exhibition' is a regular national event in the field of fine arts. Its journey began in 1975. Many artists have gained recognition through this exhibition, and later have won awards and recognition at home and abroad, they said.
