A fortnight-long art exhibition, featuring works of young artists from across the country began at the National Art Gallery, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on April 2. The exhibition features 177 artworks of 156 artists in different mediums - - painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, graphics, and installation.. Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad inaugurated the exhibition.

Organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), the exhibition will continue till April 19.

Eight artists received awards for their noteworthy works. Kamaluddin, a student of the Department of Paintings, Faculty of Fine Arts, DU won the 'Young Artists Award 10' for his work “In Front of Self-1”.

Biswajit Goswami, Syed Tareq Rahman and Abu Naser Robii received best awards in Paintings, Sculpture and Printmaking respectively for their artworks “Quest for Soul-4”, “Matsyasana” and “Searching for Missed Mystery of Happyness-5”.

Yasmin Jahan Nupur, Sagor Chakroborty, Afsana Sharmin and Ruhul Karim Rumee received Honourable Mention awards.

The awards were handed over through a ceremony at the Plaza of National Art Gallery before the inaugural of the exhibition. Chief guest Abul Kalam Azad handed over the awards to the winners. The Young Artists Award carries an awad Taka 50,000 and the other three awards in three mediums carry Taka 30,000 each.

From the beginning the young artists have been encouraged with awards in three categories — paint-

ing, sculpture and printmaking. The Department has been organising exhibitions featuring talented young artists' works biennially since 1975.

Noted artist Qayyum Chowdhury and Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes were the special guests at the programme. Mushfique Ahmed Shamim, director of the Department of Fine Arts, BSA gave the welcome speech.

In his speech Qayyum Chowdhury praised the organisers for arranging the exhibition. “This performs an important role in the field of fine arts. The exhibition plays an important role at the national level as the young artists get their first recognition here," said Chowdhury.

A four-member jury committee , featuring eminent artists, selected the award-winning artworks.

The exhibition will remain open from 1 lam to 7pm.