13th Kibria Print Fair showcases BD's excellence in the art

Curtain rises on 13th Kibria Print Fair on Saturday 8 February 2025

Dhaka, Feb 8: The 13th Kibria Print Fair was inaugurated at Kalakendra in the capital’s Lalmatia on Friday, bringing together leading art studios and institutions from across Bangladesh to display a diverse range of printmaking artworks.

Organised annually by the Kibria Printmaking Studio since 2012, the fair pays tribute to the late eminent printmaker Mohammad Kibria. 

Over the years, the event, popularly known as the "Kibria Mela," has served as a platform to make printmaking more accessible to artists and enthusiasts of arts.

This year’s fair, which began on Friday, features artworks created using various printmaking techniques, including woodcut, intaglio, lithography, etching and others.

Participating students and faculty members from reputed universities are showcasing their print artworks in this fair, and the institutions include the Department of Printmaking at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Art; the Painting-Oriental-Printmaking Department at Rajshahi University; Khulna University’s Printmaking Discipline; Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal, Mymensingh; Jagannath University; Islamic University, Kushtia; the University of Development Alternative (UODA); and Rabindra Maitree University, Kushtia.

In addition, several independent and prominent studios and organisations, including the Cosmos Atelier 71, Bengal Arts Programme under Bengal Foundation, Safiuddin Printmaking Studio, Shunno Art Space, Mazumder's Print Land, Kaalnee Art Studio, and Kalakendra, are also showcasing their works.

The inauguration ceremony on Friday was attended by several renowned artists, including eminent Bangladeshi painter and Dhaka University Drawing and Painting Department Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi as the chief guest.

Chaired by eminent artist Syed Abul Barq Alvi, also the Convenor of Kibria Print Studio, the inauguration ceremony was also joined by its special guest art connoisseur Mikhail Idris Islam, and esteemed artists including Shahid Kabir, Rashid Amin and Fareha Zeba.

The fair not only features works by emerging printmakers but also showcases creations by acclaimed artists. 

Cosmos Atelier 71, the art wing of Cosmos Foundation and a regular participant in the fair, is displaying over 25 artworks in this edition.

The 13th Kibria Print Fair will remain open to visitors from 4 pm to 8 pm until February 9. - UNB