About us
Kalakendra Foundation (KK), established in 2015, is a non-profit artist-run space for
contemporary art in Dhaka, Bangladesh, voluntarily run and financed by a
collective of local artists. Our space is an art hub for multidisciplinary art
practice, presenting and promoting experimental, research-based,
context-oriented art and discourse through curation, critical analysis, debates
and discussions. We aim to work at the
crossroads of international and local art scenes, emphasizing the development
of relationships between art, artists, activists, critics, curators,
collectors and viewers.
Our Journey…
Since 2015, 44 solo (29 young artists
first solo exhibitions) and 4 group exhibitions, 44 artist talks and 23 art
lectures have been arranged along with several art workshops and screenings of
art-related films. In addition, 44 exhibition catalogues have been produced and
distributed among national and international art institutions, libraries and
cultural organizations. Besides all that, we believe what really makes KK so
special is the atmosphere created through the community in our cultural space
bringing people with very diverse backgrounds together and inspiring collective
and collaborative work.
Still, our work
is not confined to our space in Dhaka. From August 2017 on, KK started
re-exhibiting selected exhibitions in Chittagong, Bangladesh, with gallery
partners Bistaar, Chittagong, Shilpakala Academy and Artist Rashid Chowdhury
Art Gallery. We are always
open to collaborations with guest curators, artists, and other art initiatives,
nationally and internationally.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic,
KK organized two main activities – 1. Online Portfolio Review Sessions (40 participants), which were mentored
by prominent artists, art teachers and
other guest mentors of Bangladesh. 2. A residency for five young artists
who used the gallery as their studio and living space. In November 2020, the
outcomes of the residency were exhibited in a group exhibition called “Art in Isolation, Living and Working in an
Exhibition Space”. In March 2021, KK partnered with Goethe-Institut
Bangladesh and organized an arts exhibition featuring a range of
multidisciplinary artworks presented by the awardees of the ‘Futures Beyond the
Self 2020” project, initiated by Goethe-Institute Bangladesh.
Kibria Print Studio..
Our space is also hosting the Kibria
Print Studio in order to promote graphic art practice in Bangladesh. The studio
is free to use for everyone interested and aims to create an open culture encouraging
the exchange and the expansion of knowledge by broadening the scope of art
practice through printmaking. The Studio hosted art fairs, exhibitions and workshops and also introduced a
Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of printmaking. Since 2012, Kibria Print Fair has been the liveliest and most vibrant event in
the field of printmaking in Bangladesh, with a total of 22 institutions and
print studios participating. From 2017 on, also international print studios
joined the Fair.
Kalakendra
Residency..
In 2020, during the
Covid-19 pandemic A residency for five young artists who used the gallery as
their studio and living space. In 2021 kk started his residency Program. First
time collaboration with Dhaka Art week,
3 artist from out side of Dhaka, residence at KK program. Artist have chosen by
a open call. In future Kk residency will be open for artist from all country.