Exhibition titled “Nalini” by artist, printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra begins at AFD today

A painting of the exhibition Nalini that begins at Alliance Francaise, Dhaka on Tuesday.

The opening of the exhibition titled “Nalini” by artist and printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra jointly organized by Alliance Française, Dhaka and Brihatta Art Foundation will begin at La Galerie, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Dhanmondi on Tuesday, 21 January 2025 at 5 pm. 

The exhibition is an outcome of a three-month residency programme held in partnership between Villa Swagatam, Institut Français in Delhi, French Embassy in Bangladesh, Alliance Française de Dhaka, and Brihatta Art Foundation.

Villa Swagatam, launched in 2023, supports a wide range of artistic disciplines, with a strong emphasis on literature, arts, and crafts. In 2024-2025, the program expands with collaborations with nearly 30 renowned residencies across France, India, and Bangladesh, creating a unique platform for creativity, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting cross-disciplinary dialogue.

Brihatta Art Foundation, based in Dhaka, is a research-driven, artist-run platform aimed at enhancing the accessibility and visibility of art through community engagement. It serves as a dynamic bridge between artists, craftsmen, local and expat communities, and global practitioners, facilitating workshops, residencies, and art talks to achieve shared artistic goals.

About the Exhibition: The main focus of the work is the relationship between riverbank communities and their natural environment, the Buriganga River. The exhibition focuses on the relationship between riverbank communities and the Buriganga River, exploring themes of identity, water, and textiles. Julia Lebrao Sendra’s work, initially aimed at understanding local healing rituals, shifted after she discovered a deeper issue: a broken connection between the people and the river, symbolizing the concept of solostalgia. Coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht, solostalgia describes the emotional distress people feel when they can no longer connect to the natural environments they once knew due to climate change and human activities. This sense of loss is evident in Dhaka, where the relationship with the Buriganga reflects global concerns. Julia's work aims to foster reflection and dialogue as a step toward healing, using symbols, patterns, and colors from her daily life in Dhaka to offer fresh perspectives on the issue.

The exhibition will be open to all till Monday, 27 January 2025.

Visiting Hours: Everyday from 3 pm to 9 pm. – Press release