Art is that of a language; the concept of communicating across cultures to enrich and enlighten diverse communities of social, political, economic, ethical etc. subjects. It is the idea to foster international creative exchange, deepen understanding across cultures, and create ties between artists and communities and counterparts abroad. An international arts exchange system is fundamental because it creates an environment for genuine compromise and conciliation, enhances the education of all citizens, and prepares to contribute both artistically and economically within the global society. Valuable cultural exchange is mutual and offers the opportunity for deeper and prolonged commitment between artists. The Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Artist Exchange Program is one that nurtures this idea and concept. The High Commission of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, Colombo partnered with Gallery Four Life, Sri Lanka for Bangladesh - Sri Lanka Artist Exchange that aims at projecting to develop contemporary Art opportunities between the two lands. Conceived by the Sri Lankan Artist Chathuranga Biyagama, the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Artist Exchange Program features artists from both countries in the goal to cultivate and foster artistic trends between the cultures.

The High Commission of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka (Colombo) supports the Programme in Sri Lanka, as the co-organizer of the event, on the agreed theme i.e. "Peace and Harmony through Art". It coincides with celebration of the Victory Day of Bangladesh in Sri Lanka. The project envisages bringing together six contemporary Bangladesh artists including Bishwajit Goswami, Sourav Chowdhury, Kuntal Barai, Iqbal Bahar Chy, Mong Mong Sho and Arifa Evana, pairing with five leading and upcoming artists from Sri Lanka including Jagath Raveendra, Chamila Gamage, Chathuranga Biyagama, Anuradha Punchihewa and Nisansala Rjapaksha. Converging in Sri Lanka. In the first phase of the program, the eleven Artists would the five Bangladesh Artists will travel their art works for a group art exhibition together with five Sri Lankan Artists at Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo 7, from 16th to 20th December 2019. In parallel, the Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Artists would hold a unique two-day Workshop in ancient city of Anuradhapura in central Sri Lanka on the theme "Peace and Harmony", from 18 to 19 December 2019.

Also the Artists shared their creativity with the Cancer patients undergoing with treatments at Cancer Care Association, Anuradhapura. Bishwajit Goswami, Sourav Chowdhury, Kuntal Barai, Iqbal Bahar Chy, Mong Mong Sho and Arifa Evana shared their creativity with art activities to give the patients some hope and mental relief. The session was so unique and emotional where the in-house patients had a life time experience with the creativity of Bangladeshi Artists.

In the Second stage of the program, the five Sri Lankan Artists will travel to Bangladesh with their Art works and hold a group art exhibition with the five Bangladesh artists who had exhibited in Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh exhibition is scheduled in Dhaka (Bangladesh) around mid April 2020 coinciding with nationwide celebration of Bengali New Year.

The program is organized by The Gallery Four Life (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka with the vision of taking Asian Art talents to international arena/forums and to develop artistic trends between Asian countries. Gradually, the exchange program envisages to be connected to other Asian countries including India, Pakistan, China, Iran, UAE, and Japan.

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