Dhaka, Bangladesh ─ The South Asia Regional Art Exhibition "Imagining Our Future Together" organized by the World Bank was inaugurated in the city today. The exhibition unites 25 artists from Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as three artists from Bangladesh. The World Bank organized the regional art competition earlier this year for young South Asian artists born after 1975 with the view of creating a vision for a common future and showcasing the unique beauty, creativity, and challenges of South Asia.
The competition "Imagining our Future Together" received more than 1,000 entries from talented young artists inspired by the idea of a more integrated region. The exhibit showcases 42 winning artworks by 25 finalists and later will travel to other South Asian countries and the United States.
"In building a common vision for a more prosperous future in South Asia, young artists and other youth have an important role to play. This was the impetus behind this art competition," said Ellen Goldstein, country director, World Bank Bangladesh. "South Asia is the home to the world’s largest youth population. ‘Imagining out Future Together’ was an innovative way to tap creative young minds to build new networks and begin breaking down the historic barriers to a more integrated and prosperous region."
South Asia is the least integrated region in the world. More and better regional cooperation will help the region to realize its full potential. Breaking barriers is not only about economics and trade of goods and services. It is also about sharing ideas, promoting change, and communicating through art.
Finance Minister A. M. A. Muhith inaugurated the exhibition today as chief guest at the opening. The winning artists from different South Asian countries gathered in Dhaka to participate in the exhibition. The artists will also interact with art and photography students from universities. The art exhibition is taking place at the Bangladesh Silpakala Academy, Dhaka, and will continue until Oct. 13, 2012.
