Nazia Andaleeb Preema is the distinguished juror and curator for Bangladeshi artists for the 10th Geoje International Art Festival in Busan, South Korea. The theme of this year’s festival resonates deeply with the mission of encapsulating the power of art to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, allowing the world to communicate and connect on a profoundly human level. Preema firmly believes “Coexistence is the only way to exist.” “Language of Coexistence” is the major anchor to navigate storm in todays uncertain world.
11 well known Bangladeshi artists’ artworks have been selected for the 10th Geoje International Art Festival as a collection for the Haegeumgang Theme Museum. A total of 341 artists from 56 countries participated in the first ever virtual jury process of artwork selection for a museum. All artworks have been selected and voted virtually and will be at the permanent collection of the museum.
Out of 273 chosen artworks, only 18 works were shortlisted for the prestigious “Excellence Award” – and three Bangladeshi artists – Abu Kalam Shamsuddin, Azmeer Hossain and Sourav Chowdhury, were voted as they received the honour for Bangladesh. Apart from them, other Bangladeshi renowned artists are Rokeya Sultana, Vinita Karim, Anukul Mojumder, Ratnashwar Sutradhar, Tahmina Hafiz Lisa, Mahadi Masud, Asma whose artworks will be on display for the museum’s permanent collection.
The 10th Geoje International Art Festival is held at the Haegeumgang Theme Museum in Busan, South Korea, where the Bangladeshi artists brought glory for their motherland. Each of their distinguished style and unique contexts expressed innovation, diversity and depicted various social, mythical and political discourses showcasing the artists’ roots and their identities. These 11 contemporary artists were handpicked by the curator to showcase that Bangladeshi artworks are truly global and the language these pieces speak are genuinely prolific to represent a country yet to tap profoundly.
The inauguration of the exhibition at the museum took place on 6th November 2024. Artists from Bangladesh joined the prestigious gala and the reunion of artists, curators, museum directors and galleries from all over the world. This festival is not just an exhibition; it is a celebration of diversity, creativity, and the enduring spirit of collaboration.
Nazia Andaleeb Preema received the acclamation from the mayor of Jeongeup city, for her extraordinary passion and dedication to promote international exchange through art, and provide citizens with opportunities to enjoy culture and art. Heidi Fosli, the jury president for this year, facilitated the international jury committee to make the festival a huge contribution by the large number of artists from all over the world.
Addressing the occasion, Preema Nazia Andaleeb mentioned, “We are now living in a virtual world, where everything is connected to each other. Technology is a gift for us to cultivate human power with collaboration and empathy and create a greater purpose to serve the nature and the world. This joint venture exhibition collaboration was a perfect example of that, where the artists set a remarkable achievement for the greater artist communities by being supportive to promote one’s culture and art being a part of the art ecosystem. Technology brings the world together and this virtual process to build a museum is one of a prime example of using digital era for the betterment of mankind. We learn, share and sustain together for a better forthcoming world of artistic, aesthetic and historic breakthrough.”
Preema continued, “South Korea is one of the leading countries in terms of advancing modern technologies. This was the first-ever virtually held jury process of artwork selection for a museum. Apart from their world-famous Korean hospitality, they really know how to honour art and artists, something that we can learn from them even better.”
During their 7 days long tour in Busan, the host country treated the curators and artists with utmost respect and honour, offering a guided tour around Busan and its nearby cities/villages/towns. They visited the historical gardens, monuments and museums with delicious Korean kimchi, bibimbap, bulgogi, BBQ, and many traditional sweets and deserts. The Haegeumgang Theme Museum even organized a tour of famous temples, shrines and sea shores for the visitors to get to know the Korean culture a little more. The traditional wood curving market, hanbok (Korean traditional dress) market and food markets were significant to mention.
Since its opening in 2005, the Haegeumgang Theme Museum has widely been covered with modern and contemporary living materials from South Korea and different European countries. Besides, it consists artworks related to history, maritime history, war history, and contemporary art. Currently, it operates as a space where visitors can experience history and art by selecting and focusing on the theme and dividing its characteristics into the exhibition hall of modern and contemporary Korean history and the Yugyeong Art Museum.
Preema Nazia Andaleeb, a prolific visual artist, spoke person and cultural influencer/activist ended with the statement “Nothing like being authentic, pure and honest. That’s a job of an artist: uplifting the tradition, people & culture and history that would speak the truth in the future for next generation and beyond.”
