Returning to roots: a 3-month-long art programme begins in Chattogram, Sirajganj
The art project will provide financial, creative and academic support for 77 local artisans and their 387 family members amid Covid-19
A three-month-long – August to October – community-based, collaborative and contemporary art programme has begun in Chattogram and Sirajganj to commemorate Bangladesh Art Week's maiden anniversary.
Bangladesh Art Week has initiated an art project titled "Shikor: Roots," as an annual event for exclusive collaboration among artists, designers and local artisans of low-income rural families, read a press release.
The project will provide financial, creative and academic support for 77 local artisans and their 387 family members – from both Chattogram and Sirajganj – during these difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The members of the vulnerable communities – including weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, fishermen, folk singers, folk artists, potters, goldsmiths; as well as bamboo, cane, Shitalpati and Nakshikantha weavers – will directly benefit from this programme as a means to earning their livelihoods and family's income.
Artists and designers will lead teams on the ground. Artisan families from Chattogram and Sirajganj will be assisted for the entire period of three months with this project.
Founder of Bangladesh Art Week Niharika Momtaz will curate the art projects. Artists Sanjay Kumar Das from Chattogram and Zahangir Alom from Sirajganj are coordinating their respective projects.
Both prominent and promising artists from the design and art arena have already interacted with their respective local artisans. And creative work is underway, the press release added.
An exhibition will showcase the outcomes of the community-based art project between August and October, 2020.
The artwork will be in the form of: gamucha art, weaving art, hand embroidered art, handloom fabric art, wooden art, terracotta art, bamboo art, brick art, folk art, and folk song performances.
Artist Zahangir Alom will provide the children of the participating artisan families in Sirajganj with art education throughout the art project.
Niharika Momtaz said, "As an organisation, Bangladesh Art Week's aim is to create a balance of influence in the artistic process among: artists, designers, community weavers, and craftsmen."
Co-Founder Mohammed Mohsin said, "This project exists to encourage new experimentation in regards to community engagement."
