The opening ceremony of the group art exhibition “Origins of Vision”, jointly organized by the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh and HerNet Fine Arts, was held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Embassy of Japan on Friday (18 July 2025) at 4 pm. The exhibition was a wonderful combination of art, culture and diplomatic goodwill.
Internationally renowned painter Monirul Islam was present as the chief guest at the event. The event was also attended by Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Cistiaga, Korean Ambassador Park Young-sik, diplomats from various countries, prominent artists, culture enthusiasts and journalists.
The main organizers of the exhibition were Alisha Pradhan, Chief Curator of HerNet Fine Arts and Secretary-General of HerNet Foundation, and Monir Pradhan, Chairman of HerNet Foundation.
The exhibition has given a strong message of cultural integration between Bangladesh and Japan. Speaking at the event, Charge d’Affaires Takahashi of the Japanese Embassy said, “The relationship between the two countries will be further deepened through art, culture and exchange programs.” He said that during the meeting held in Japan on May 30 between Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, it was agreed to strengthen cultural cooperation.
This exceptional exhibition features the artworks of 47 renowned and emerging Bangladeshi artists, many of whom have been trained in Japan. The artworks beautifully showcase the fusion of Japanese aesthetics and Bangladeshi creativity.
One of the attractions of the exhibition was a rare display of preserved artworks by pioneers of modern art in Bangladesh, Zainul Abedin, SM Sultan, Kibria, Novera Ahmed, Rashid Chowdhury, Kamrul Hasan and Safiuddin Ahmed. This is the first time in the history of Bangladesh that a private initiative has organized such an event with national values.
