The Ashmolean Museum, situated within the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, has forged an innovative alliance with the Dhaka-based Samdani Art Foundation (SAF). This collaborative endeavor is set to spotlight contemporary art from Bangladesh through a multi-faceted program. A key component of this partnership involves an annual residency, bringing a Bangladeshi artist to Oxford, alongside a concerted effort to cultivate a specialized collection of contemporary Bangladeshi art within the museum's existing holdings.
Munem Wasif, an artist and curator from Dhaka, has been selected as the inaugural participant in the Ashmolean Samdani Visiting Artist program. During his two-week residency at the museum, Wasif will delve into its collections and archives, leveraging his distinctive artistic approach that integrates photography, moving images, archival materials, and found objects. His work frequently explores themes of transience, instability, and memory, and he will specifically examine the colonial history of Bengal, seeking connections between the museum's artifacts and his ongoing artistic inquiries. This partnership also presents a significant opportunity for the Ashmolean to augment its collection of modern Bangladeshi art. In conjunction with SAF, the museum intends to acquire pieces by Bangladeshi artists each year, building upon its already substantial South Asian art collection, recognized as one of the most comprehensive in the UK outside of London. Furthermore, the collaboration will facilitate joint research into the dynamic contemporary art landscape of Bangladesh.
Mallica Kumbera Landrus, the Ashmolean's curator of Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian art, emphasized that the collaboration with SAF will significantly enhance the museum's ties with artists from Bangladesh. This initiative, she noted, offers a compelling avenue to enrich the museum's narrative through modern Bangladeshi art and artists. Nadia Samdani, president of SAF, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the foundation's pride in seeing this vision realized within a globally recognized institution. This program builds upon SAF's decade and a half of dedicated work in supporting artists and cultural projects in Bangladesh, as well as creating international opportunities for artists. The foundation, co-founded by Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani, has previously supported notable projects such as the Dhaka Art Summit and the Samdani Art Award. Additionally, SAF has established a partnership with the Kunsthalle Basel for the Samdani Art Award in November 2026, which will feature eight finalists alongside artists from the Basel region as part of Regionale 27. In Bangladesh, the foundation manages Srihatta—the Samdani Art Centre and Sculpture Park in Sylhet—a hub for artist residencies and community projects, and a founding member of Photosynthesis, an international residency network supported by the Getty Foundation. The first Photosynthesis residency at Srihatta is slated to commence in December 2026, featuring Indian interdisciplinary artist Himali Singh Soin.
This pioneering collaboration between the Ashmolean Museum and the Samdani Art Foundation represents a profound commitment to fostering cultural exchange and artistic growth. By providing a global platform for Bangladeshi contemporary artists and enriching the museum's collections, this partnership not only celebrates diverse artistic expressions but also encourages a deeper understanding of historical narratives and contemporary societal issues. It is a testament to the power of art in bridging cultures, inspiring dialogue, and promoting a more inclusive appreciation of global heritage.