DU printmaking exhibition: The art of texture, depth and experimentation

The Department of Printmaking at the University of Dhaka inaugurated its Annual Art Exhibition 2025 on May 11 at the Osman Jamal Auditorium with an award-giving ceremony.

The week-long exhibition, held from May 11 to May 17 at Jainul Gallery 1 and 2, highlighted contemporary trends in printmaking while demonstrating the department’s emphasis on both experimental and traditional techniques.

University of Dhaka Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Abdus Salam formally inaugurated the event. Addressing the audience, he emphasised the importance of cultivating originality alongside technical precision. He praised the students for exploring complex printmaking processes such as intaglio, relief, and lithography while also experimenting with modern materials and mixed-media approaches.

Faculty of Arts Dean Professor Dr Md Azharul Islam Sheikh attended the event as a special guest. He highlighted the department’s role in advancing visual arts education in Bangladesh and encouraged students to contribute to both national and international art discourse.

Honorary Professor of the Printmaking Department Syed Abul Barak Alvi and Safiuddin Printmaking Studio founder Ahmed Nazir attended as distinguished guests. Their participation underscored the importance of mentorship and industry-academic collaboration in shaping emerging artists.

The exhibition featured more than 50 works by students from different academic levels. Each piece demonstrated an understanding of printmaking fundamentals while reflecting individual artistic perspectives.

Notable works included explorations of social themes, urban landscapes, and abstract experimentation with texture and layering. The curation emphasised a balance between conceptual depth and technical mastery.

Awards were distributed to students whose works stood out for innovation, craftsmanship, and thematic expression. The ceremony was presided over by Printmaking Department Chairman Md Nazir Hossain Khan, who applauded the exhibition’s role as both an educational tool and a platform for professional exposure.

The exhibition offered visitors an opportunity to engage with contemporary printmaking practices and observe the evolving approaches students adopted in response to traditional and global art influences.

The exhibition also reflected the University of Dhaka’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence, encouraging students to combine technical proficiency with creative inquiry, and contributing to Bangladesh’s cultural landscape.