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Alliance Française de Dhaka is set to host “Listening Beyond Sight”, a solo photography exhibition by Arif Abdullah, exploring the relationship between art, perception and the diverse ways people experience the world.
The exhibition will open at 6:00pm on October 16 at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, and continue until October 20. The gallery will remain open daily from 3:00pm to 9:00pm, with entry open to all.
Arif’s artistic journey began with a passion for photography during his school years. After completing his Higher Secondary Certificate examination, he pursued formal photography training alongside his studies in Fine Arts. He held his first solo exhibition at Alliance Française de Chittagong in 2009.
However, while in his third year of study, he was diagnosed with choroideremia, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive vision loss. The diagnosis profoundly changed the course of his life and artistic practice.
Rather than abandoning his creative pursuits, Arif gradually explored new ways of artistic expression through sound. His interest in songwriting developed into a deeper engagement with blues music, and the harmonica became central to his musical journey. Inspired by blues musicians and largely self-taught through online lessons, he established himself as a professional harmonica player in Bangladesh.
His musical practice later expanded to include traditional wind instruments from different cultures, as well as making and adapting instruments himself.
Today, Arif’s creative work spans photography, music, songwriting and sound design. Through these forms of expression, he explores how art can offer fresh perspectives, encourage personal freedom and foster meaningful connections with the world.
“Listening Beyond Sight” brings together different stages of this journey, inviting visitors to reflect on creativity beyond conventional ways of seeing. The exhibition also explores how changing circumstances can reshape our relationship with art, opening up alternative ways of sensing, interpreting and engaging with life.
Speaking about his photography, Arif said, “When we set colour aside, we begin to notice other visual elements more clearly, lines, shapes, shadows and textures. This allows us to look beyond colour and better understand the visual language of a scene.”
The exhibition will be held at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, 26 Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, from October 16 to 20. Admission is open to all.