An open studio and group art exhibition titled 'Line of Ages' was held at Cosmos Atelier 71 printmaking studio on Saturday.

The exhibition was organised by Gallery Cosmos based on the outcome of the workshop conducted by noted young Japanese print-artist Toshihiko Ikeda.

Several artworks of 20 Bangladeshi artists, who participated in the workshop, were displayed in the exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion, Toshiko Ikeda said, "I am happy to show my technique of using copperplate in printmaking to Bangladeshi artists and art lovers. Copperplate is a traditional material for printmaking in Japan. I hope young artists of this country will use this material."

Note artist Kalidas Karmakar said Toshihiko Ikeda has brought a new medium of art in Bangladesh in the 21st century from some techniques of the 16th century.

He has shown the techniques to Bangladeshi young artists and teachers in the print making sector, he said. Toshihiko Ikeda is a noted Japanese print artist, educator of Art Village Shirakino, Minamishimabara-shi, Nagasaki, Japan and a part time lecturer of the department of printmaking of Nihon University.

He was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1980. He graduated from Tama Art University, Tokyo, Japan in 2003 and obtained his Master degree from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 2005. He served as an assistant teacher at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music from 2005 to 2009 and at the Yokohoma University of Arts from 2010 to 2012.

His artwork has been published in many prestigious art publications in Japan and abroad. Currently He is working as a professional artist and an educator of Art Village Shirakino, Minamishimabara-shi, Nagasaki, Japan and part time lecturer of the department of printmaking of Nihon University is conducting the print workshop.

Cosmos Atelier 71 is a printmaking studio set up in 2009 has made a significant contribution toward making printmaking medium more popular. It focuses on the encouraging young printmakers to develop their craft before presenting them with pathways for a future in printmaking.

Bangladeshi artistes are:

AB Rahman Noor, Asharful Hasan, Biren Shome, Biswajit Goshwami, Dr. Hira Sobahan, Farzana Rahman Bobby, Juton Chandra Roy, Kalidas Karmakar, Kamruzzoha, Khalequzzaman Shimul, Md. Shahed Hossain, Mohammad Rezaul Sadat, Nagarbasi Barman, Nayeem Zaman, Nazia Andaleeb Preema, Nevine Sultana, Nityananda Gaine, Raju Ahmed, Rashida Akter, Rokeya Sultana, Sakib Salim, Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, Sourav Chowdhury, Sushmita das Dewan and Zahangir Alom.

Also a 10-day print art exhibition featuring works of noted Japanese artist Toshihiko Ikeda began on Friday at National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in the city. The solo exhibition, titled 'Line of Ages', was jointly hosted by Cosmos Atelier-71 Studio and BSA.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General (DG) Liaquat Ali Lucky.

"Japan is really a good friend of Bangladesh. We have cultural relations," Liaquat Ali Lucky said.

He wished that this relation will strengthen through increased cultural exchanges. The BSA DG also mentioned Ikeda's works displayed in the 18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh in 2018 and invited him to join the 19th edition slated for 2020.

Artist Toshihiko Ikeda expressed his gratitude for giving him the opportunity to connect with the people of Bangladesh. He also thanked Cosmos Atelier-71 Studio for their cooperation.