On 19 December 2026, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport, in partnership with Bhumi Gallery, unveiled a curated collection of watercolour paintings that celebrate the country’s natural landscapes and artistic heritage. The gathering at Connexions was attended by guests from the diplomatic community and business leaders, along with art enthusiasts and members of the local creative community, creating a space where conversation moved easily between culture, travel, and community.
The collection of artworks created by 27 Bangladeshi artists during a six-day art camp in Jamalpur named “Jolronge Rupashi Bangla” will be displayed throughout the hotel’s guestrooms, offering local and international visitors a glimpse into Bangladesh’s rivers, villages, and pastoral scenery.
The project originated from an artist residency-style camp organised by Bhumi Gallery, where participating artists spent days immersed in the natural environment of Jamalpur, observing and interpreting the landscape through watercolour.
According to Saifur Rahman Lenin, founder and CEO of Bhumi Gallery, the initiative was designed to reconnect artists with the country’s rural beauty while creating a body of work that reflects the country’s visual identity.
“Every art camp has a theme, and this time we chose watercolour as the medium to portray the natural beauty of Bangladesh,” Lenin stated. “Artists need to leave their studios and experience nature directly to capture its real feel, depth, and vastness.”
A total of 27 artists participated in the camp, each contributing multiple works. Organisers ensured that at least one painting from every artist was included in the final selection, creating a diverse visual narrative shaped by different artistic perspectives.
Among the participating artists was Sadek Ahmed, a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, who made a series of artworks ranging from plein-air paintings to more interpretive landscapes. His observations and photographic references were collected during the camp.
Lenin believes that placing the artworks in an international hospitality setting extends the impact of the initiative beyond the traditional gallery audience.
“When a painting inspired by a village pond or a river in Jamalpur finds a place in a five-star hotel, it creates a bridge between local experiences and a global audience,” he said. “It allows visitors to encounter Bangladesh through the eyes of its artists.”
This collaboration also reflects Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport’s broader effort to integrate local culture into the guest experience.
Speaking of unveiling, Ashwani Nayar, Area General Manager, IHG Southwest Asia, and Cluster General Manager of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka, remarked, “We wanted to move beyond simply displaying artwork and instead create an opportunity where artists feel seen and supported.”
According to him, the hotel wanted the initiative to be more than a decorative art installation.
“Hospitality spaces naturally bring together people from around the world, making them an ideal platform to introduce Bangladesh’s art and culture in an authentic and meaningful way,” Nayar added.
Rather than a conventional exhibition, the evening’s unveiling encouraged guests to engage directly with the artworks and the stories behind them.
As the paintings take their place throughout the hotel, this art collection stands as both an artistic showcase and a cultural ambassador — bringing the landscape of rural Bangladesh into dialogue with visitors from around the world and assuring the power of art to tell stories of rural Bangladesh.
By Sabrin Zawad Ritu
Photo: Abrar Faiyaz Niloy