Irish Artist Oona Hyland opens first solo exhibition in Bangladesh, strengthening cultural ties
Staff Reporter
Acclaimed Irish visual artist Oona Hyland has inaugurated her solo exhibition titled “An Duanaire: Visual Poems of the Dispossessed” at the Garden Gallery in Baridhara, marking the first-ever solo showcase by an Irish artist in Bangladesh.
The exhibition, organized jointly by Gallery Cosmos and the Embassy of Ireland under the Ireland-Bangladesh Art Exchange Programme, aims to deepen artistic collaboration and foster cultural dialogue between the two nations.
Irish Ambassador to Bangladesh Kevin Kelly, who is based in New Delhi, opened the exhibition and praised the initiative as a “dynamic platform for creative partnership.” He highlighted Hyland’s three-week residency in Dhaka as a landmark in Ireland’s engagement with Bangladesh through art.
“Though we have no embassy in Bangladesh, we share a long history of partnership through development cooperation and business. This initiative reflects our wish to expand that relationship through artistic exchange,” Ambassador Kelly said.
He noted that Hyland’s work in Dhaka explores the intersections of memory, healing, and collective reflection, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s belief in creativity as a moral and spiritual force. “We hope this residency opens the door for more collaborations — for both Irish artists visiting Bangladesh and Bangladeshi artists travelling to Ireland,” he added.
Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh Masud Khan, who hosted the event, lauded Hyland’s dedication and contribution to the exchange programme. “She worked tirelessly every day to bring this exhibition together. Her commitment and warm personality have made a deep impression on everyone here,” he said.
Khan also underscored the importance of supporting artists to innovate and grow. “Ireland is setting a great example in fostering artistic stability and creative development — something we can all learn from,” he remarked.
Expressing her gratitude, Hyland said she was honoured to be the first Irish artist to take part in the exchange and hoped many more would follow. “There are huge connections between Bangladesh and Ireland. I’ve met so many talented artists here — the creativity and professionalism are simply outstanding,” she said.
Hyland, a member of the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers (London), holds an MPhil in Irish Art History from Trinity College Dublin and an MMA in Art Research and Collaboration from IADT. Her accolades include the O’Malley Award, Agility Award, and the Ushaw Residency and Acquisition Prize (2025). She has previously represented Ireland in major international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale in 2024.
Her current body of work, An Duanaire, reflects the poetic dialogue between Ireland’s rugged landscapes and Bangladesh’s vibrant urban spirit, exploring themes of displacement, belonging, and transformation through art.
The exhibition will remain open at Gallery Cosmos, Cosmos Centre, 69/1 New Circular Road, Malibagh, from November 5 to 27, daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.