Bangladesh Art Week virtual charity auction begins Friday

Bangladesh Art Week has announced its first virtual charity auction for the benefit of artists, musicians, sportspersons and support staff affected by Covid-19.

Following the resounding success of a nine-day art exhibition titled "Ora Egaro Jon" held between March 6-14, the platform will organise the auction on Friday 8am, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

Eminent senior banker Anis A Khan will conduct the auction. 

"The auction will feature paintings by renowned artists like Monirul Islam, Mahmudul Huq, Mohammad Eunus, Jamal Ahmed, Mohammad Iqbal, Rokeya Sultana, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Dilara Begum Jolly, Preema Nazia Andaleeb, Firoz Mahmud, Vinita Karim, Asma Akber, Farzana Haque and Sanjoy Das, and sculptures by Hamiduzzaman Khan and Ivy Zaman," reads the release.

The Indonesian ambassador to Bangladesh, Rina P Soemarno Yuwono, has also donated one of her artworks for the good cause.

"Also included are sports memorabilia like a cricket bat autographed by all the captains of the ICC World Cup 2019, which has been donated by former captain of the Bangladesh cricket team Akram Khan, and a T-Shirt autographed by the legendary West Indian cricketer Brian Lara during his last series against Bangladesh which was donated by another former captain Habibul Bashar Sumon."

Sumon has also donated a jersey from the first ever test winning Eleven in 2005 for Bangladesh, bearing his and his team's autographs and with the score sheet printed on it, making it a unique part of our cricket heritage, it reads.

"Mohammed Ashraful, former captain of Bangladesh cricket team, donated the jersey he wore in the ICC World Cup 2007. This jersey is signed by the whole team. There will also be memorabilia from the musical world, like a 40-year-old historic bass guitar, donated by co-Founder of Bangladesh Art Week Mohammed Mohsin and two vinyl records signed by the great singer Lionel Richie and Billy Joel donated by Razwanur Rahman," says the press release.  

Guests from all walks of life are invited to participate in the online auction and place their bids.

Founder of Bangladesh Art Week Niharika Momtaz said, "As it is a unique virtual charity auction for a great cause, it has already created a great enthusiasm, globally. The Bangladeshi community and a number of non-resident Bangladeshis have also shown keen interest in participating in this unique event," the press statement mentions. 

Co-founder Mohammed Mohsin mentioned that already 369,000 posts and 158,000 video views have been made this week on their Facebook page.

Anis A. Khan, the auctioneer, said, "I am feeling very excited about the endeavour launched by Niharika and Mohsin and am looking forward to a most successful auction, resulting in much needed support to the affected artists," adds the statement.   

The updated news and event of Bangladesh Art Week is available at https://www.facebook.com/bangladeshartweek/, and https://www.instagram.com/bangladesh.art.week/?hl=en