Diplomatic Desk:
A special art exhibition titled ‘Bridging Horizons: A Visual Dialogue of Nature, Heritage and Innovation’ was inaugurated in Dhaka as part of Singapore’s 61st National Day celebrations to deepen the friendship between Singapore and Bangladesh through art and culture.
The exhibition, jointly organized by the Singapore High Commission and Alliance Française de Dhaka, was inaugurated on Friday (14 August 2026) at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka in Dhaka.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Chief Guest, Charge d’Affaires of the Singapore High Commission in Bangladesh, Mitchell Lee. The Guest of Honour was Professor Rafiqun Nabi, a legendary artist of Bangladesh and Emeritus Professor of Dhaka University. M. Francois Chambru, Director of Alliance Française de Dhaka, was present at the event as a special guest.
The exhibition is curated by Associate Professor Harun Or Rashid Tutul, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. The exhibition, curated under his supervision, highlights various aspects of nature, heritage, innovation and shared cultural identity through artworks.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mitchell Lee said that art plays an important role in strengthening people-to-people and country-to-country ties. In his words, “Art complements diplomacy; it builds bridges between people and builds relationships that last long after formal contact ends.”
He added that the exhibition highlights an important aspect of the partnership between the two countries in the context of preparations for the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Bangladesh in 2027. This partnership is not only limited to economic and political cooperation; it is also based on strong communication and cultural exchange between the people of the two countries.
The ‘Bridging Horizons’ exhibition features works by 14 renowned artists from Bangladesh, along with artworks from Singapore. At the same time, the works of six emerging Bangladeshi artists selected through an open call at the national level are also being exhibited.
Combining the creative heritage of established artists with the contemporary ideas of a new generation of artists, the exhibition has created an opportunity for a lively dialogue between the artistic practices of the two countries.
The organizers said that ‘Bridging Horizons’ is not just an art exhibition; it is a reflection of the long-standing friendship, mutual respect and cultural exchange between Singapore and Bangladesh. One of the goals of the event is to further strengthen mutual understanding and relations between the people of the two countries through art.
In the context of the growing importance of cultural diplomacy, this exhibition has created an opportunity to enhance communication between the people of the two countries and to rediscover common values, traditions and experiences. By bringing established and emerging artists on one platform, ‘Bridging Horizons’ has opened the door to new possibilities for Singapore-Bangladesh cultural relations.
