Exhibition search soul, soil begins at AFD, Dhanmondi

An exhibit of the group exhibition, search soul, soil at AFD, Dhanmondi that began on Saturday.

Dhaka, 18 July 2026 — Alliance Française, Dhaka inaugurated Search Soul, Soil, a group art exhibition featuring the works of Banani Simlai, Dipro Bonik, Khaidem Sithi Sinha, Lutfa Mahmuda, Md Faijul Islam, Md Hashem, and Ruposhiree Hajong, on Saturday, 18 July 2026. Curated by Kuntal Barai, the exhibition opened in the presence of renowned Bangladeshi architect Shamsul Wares and eminent artist Moinuddin Khaled, who attended the ceremony as distinguished guests. 

Search Soul, Soil brings together seven contemporary artists whose practices reflect the intricate relationships between memory, landscape, cultural heritage, and the environment. Emerging from personal experiences and observations, the exhibition engages in a dialogue with the environmental realities, transformations, and existential questions of our time. Against the backdrop of increasing environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and the growing impacts of climate change, the artists invite viewers to reconsider the interconnected narratives of nature, land, and human existence.

The works in Search Soul, Soil present seven distinct artistic perspectives connected by a shared concern for nature, memory, and human responsibility. Banani Simlai explores the enduring relationship between food, soil, and human existence, emphasizing the interdependence of all living beings. Md. Faijul Islam addresses the environmental consequences of acid rain and industrial pollution, highlighting their impact on ecosystems and everyday life. Lutfa Mahmuda reflects on migration, identity, and the emotional search for belonging in an increasingly interconnected world. Sithi Khaidem celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Manipuri community through traditional textiles inspired by nature and indigenous craftsmanship. Md. Hashem examines the destruction of hills and topsoil, transforming environmental loss into a powerful visual meditation on memory, resilience, and survival. Ruposhree Hajong draws upon Hajong rituals and folklore to reveal the deep spiritual bond between indigenous communities and the natural world through textile-based installations. Dipro Bonik's practice explores the evolving relationship between landscape, ecology, and human intervention, inviting reflection on the fragile balance between nature and contemporary life. Together, these works create a compelling dialogue that encourages audiences to reconsider their relationship with the environment while envisioning possibilities for preservation, renewal, and coexistence.

Exhibition open: Saturday, 18 July 2026 || 6 pm

Dates: Saturday, 18 July – Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Visiting hour: Daily 3 pm to 9 pm

La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka

26 Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka  - Press release