Samdani Art Foundation

Home
Bangladesh
Dhaka
Samdani Art Foundation

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Samdani Art Foundation, Nonprofit Organization, Shanta Western Tower, Dhaka.

SAF is a private arts trust based in Dhaka, Bangladesh which support the work of the country’s contemporary artists and architects, increasing their international exposure, and expands the audience engaging with contemporary art across Bangladesh.

15/08/2026

Now featured in the Backyard Biennial at Whitechapel Gallery, London, Shabnam (2022) is a short film and installation by Tondra artist, Sattar.

The film traces the fragmented history of muslin through archival traces from around the world, revealing a hidden common thread connecting its histories, places, and people.

Samdani Art Foundation is a supporter of the production of Shabnam.

Photo Credits 1 and 4: Backyard Biennial: East, Whitechapel Gallery, 15 July - 8 September. Photograph by: Damian Griffiths
Photos 2, 3: Rajeeb Samdani

10/08/2026

To honor the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we are highlighting several artworks of Joydeb Roaja, an artist from the Tripura community, one of the eleven indigenous communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.

Through drawing and performance, Roaja draws directly from his roots, often expressing themes of identity, childhood memory, scars of militarization and colonialism and their symbiotic relationship with nature — fundamentally portraying the power of indigeniety.

We are happy to see a longtime collaborator of the Dhaka Art Summit, Joydeb Roaja, establishing a strong international presence, whose works are seen in the collection of MoMA, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and Tate.

Joydeb Roaja, Submerged Dream 8 (জলমগ্ন স্বপ্ন ৮), 2022-2023, Ink on Paper and board, Commissioned by Samdani Art Foundation for DAS 2023, Courtesy of the artist and Jhaveri Contemporary, Photo by Farhad Rahman.

Title : Submersible dream 1 ,
Submersible dream 2
Year: 2022
Media: pen on paper
Courtesy of the Artist

05/08/2026

Inspired by Bangladeshi market architecture, RASAD is a powerful installation by Britto Arts Trust exploring the intersections of food politics, culture, and displacement in Bangladesh and beyond. Britto Arts Trust first showcased their project at Germany’s documenta fifteen in 2022. Since then, the work has entered several museum collections around the globe, including Tate Modern, where the work recently went on view in London.

Congratulations, Britto Arts Trust and all of the collaborating artists and architects who are part of this work.

Object Artists
AKM Maynul Islam, Alok Raj Bongshi, MD. Aminul Islam, Ashim Halder Sagor, Farhana Ferdausi, Imran Hossain Piplu, Mahbubur Rahman, Shimul Saha, Shimul Datta, S.M.Saha, Anisuzzaman Faroque, Tayeba Begum Lipi

Design Team of the Local Bazaar
Kazi Sydul Karim, Architect; Mahbubur Rahman, Artist

29/07/2026

Revisiting our archives with the late Bashirul Haq, one of Bangladesh’s architectural visionaries.

From his humble beginnings in Bhatshala to studying at Lahore’s National College of Arts and the University of New Mexico, architect Bashirul Haq spent his life searching for a modern architectural idiom rooted deeply in the soil of Bangladesh. Once he graduated in 1964, he began his professional life in Dhaka in the 60s, and had the opportunity to work in Mazharul Islam’s practice. His journey eventually led him to the US before making his return to Dhaka in 1977 to establish Bashirul Haq and Associates, where he dedicated over four decades to shaping contemporary Bangladeshi architecture.

Bashirul Haq leaves behind a body of work that remains as relevant and powerful today as ever.

25/07/2026

We extend our warmest congratulations to Md Fazla Rabbi Fatiq Md Fazla Rabbi Fatiq, recipient of the Samdani Art Award 2023, on the presentation of his latest work in Global Positioning System. This ambitious, two-chapter group exhibition is currently on view across Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai (9 May – 4 October 2026) and Hayy Jameel, Jeddah (20 May – 17 October 2026). Our sincere commendations also go to the curators of this exhibtion—Indranjan Banerjee and Lucas Morin, who also serve as curators at Tondra.

Bringing together more than 40 artists from over 20 countries, the exhibition examines topographies, transit lines, and simulated landscapes to engage critically with the infrastructure of movement and navigation. Through photography, Md Fazla Rabbi Fatiq documents sluice gates across Bangladesh that have collapsed under decades of neglect, corruption and mismanaged development.

24/07/2026

Samdani Art Foundation congratulates Jessica Morgan on her appointment as Director of Tate.

From the very beginning of the Samdani Art Foundation and the Dhaka Art Summit, Jessica has been one of our earliest supporters and champions. Her generosity, curiosity and commitment to artists have meant so much to our journey.

We are grateful for Jessica's belief in our vision and for helping create space for voices from Bangladesh and beyond. We are so excited to see Jessica lead Tate into this new chapter and look forward to the impact of her thoughtful, artist-centred vision.

Congratulations from all of us at Samdani Art Foundation.

Images: Jessica Morgan speaking at the Dhaka Art Summit 2014. Photo courtesy of the Samdani Art Foundation.

23/07/2026

Our Co-founder, Nadia Samdani MBE Nadia Samdani recently joined Kiran Nadar Kiran Nadar in conversation with Deepanjana Klein Deepanjana Klein at Christie’s to reflect on their journeys, the role of philanthropy in shaping cultural ecosystems, and their shared vision for the future of South Asian art.

The conversation brought together two cultural leaders whose institutions: the Samdani Art Foundation and Dhaka Art Summit, and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, have played an important role in fostering artistic exchange and creating new opportunities for artists from the region.

Earlier this year, AWITA recognised Nadia Samdani MBE and Kiran Nadar as two of its 25 Cultural Leaders, celebrating their contributions to the arts and culture.

Thank you to AWITA and christies for hosting this inspiring conversation.

Credit: Association of Women in the Arts
Photographer: Jennifer Moyes

20/07/2026

Submissions for the 2026 Samdani Art Award are now officially closed. We extend our sincere gratitude to all the artists who took the time and effort to submit their applications.

Every applicant will receive an update regarding the status of their submission. Following a thorough review process by our curatorial team, a preliminary selection of candidates will be contacted for the next stage. The final shortlist of artists for the upcoming exhibition will be determined after a series of one-on-one studio visits and interviews conducted early August 2026.

16/07/2026

Since its inception in 2012, the Samdani Art Award has served as Bangladesh’s leading platform for contemporary art. Today, many past recipients have and continue to exhibit their art in leading galleries and institutions worldwide.

Swipe through to view works submitted by our past award recipients (in order of appearance) showcasing a variety of artistic mediums:

1. 𝗠𝗗 𝗙𝗮𝘇𝗹𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗾 (𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯) মরীচিকা, Mirage 2022-2023
2. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝘁 (𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬) Into the Yarn, Out in the One, 2019-2020
3. 𝗠𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘆 (𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴) The Soul Who Fails to Fly into the Space, 2018
4. 𝗥𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘆 (𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟲) Railway Longing (Large Grid), 2011-2016
5. 𝗔𝘆𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗮 (𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟰) Star-studded c**t, Nausea & Despair and Wild Fire, 2014
6. 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻 (𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟮) Terror Beat of Acid, 2011

Sometimes, it just takes a leap of faith. Don’t miss your chance—apply for this year’s Samdani Art Award via the link in our bio. Only a few days left!

15/07/2026

The final countdown is on! There is still time! You have exactly 5 days left to submit your portfolio for the 2026 Samdani Art Award. We look forward to exploring your submissions—make sure to get them in before the deadline via the link in our bio.

Address

Shanta Western Tower
Dhaka
1208

Telephone

88028878784

Website

http://www.samdani.com.bd/, https://www.samdani.com.bd/artward2026

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Samdani Art Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Samdani Art Foundation:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Dhaka?