Twenty years. How does one articulate a history spanning two decades in a few lines? The truth is, you can’t. Which is why we are sharing with you some of our proudest moments in the best way we know how – with images. This exhibition is not about the number of years that have passed, … Continue reading “20 Years of Drik”
Twenty years.
How does one articulate a history spanning two decades in a few lines? The truth is, you can’t. Which is why we are sharing with you some of our proudest moments in the best way we know how – with images.
This exhibition is not about the number of years that have passed, but the milestones achieved and the battles won. It is about the new paths we have forged from the unlikely location of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh.
While we try to show cherished snippets of our past, there are others that we have to keep in our memory. The people who have helped us, the mistakes we made, the things we had to believe in with all our heart – these things are more challenging to visualise, but just as important.
Drik was set up to be a platform for voices from the majority world, and on this special occasion, we are proud to introduce the first in the Golam Kasem Daddy Lecture Series.
Twenty years.
For some, it could seem like an eternity. For us, this is just the beginning.
Author: Shahidul Alam
Time Magazine Person of the Year 2018. A photographer, writer, curator and activist, Shahidul Alam obtained a PhD in chemistry before switching to photography. His seminal work “The Struggle for Democracy” contributed to the removal of General Ershad. Former president of the Bangladesh Photographic Society, Alam set up the Drik agency, Chobi Mela festival and Pathshala, South Asian Media Institute, considered one of the finest schools of photography in the world.
Shown in MOMA New York, Centre Georges Pompidou, Royal Albert Hall and Tate Modern, Alam has been guest curator of Whitechapel Gallery, Winterthur Gallery and Musee de Quai Branly. His awards include Mother Jones, Shilpakala Award and Lifetime Achievement Award at the Dali International Festival of Photography.
Speaker at Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Oxford and Cambridge universities, TEDx, POPTech and National Geographic, Alam chaired the international jury of the prestigious World Press Photo contest. Honorary Fellow of Royal Photographic Society, Alam is visiting professor of Sunderland University in UK and advisory board member of National Geographic Society.
John Morris, the former picture editor of Life Magazine describes his book “My journey as a witness”, (listed in “Best Photo Books of 2011” by American Photo), as “The most important book ever written by a photographer.”
View all posts by Shahidul Alam
Congratulations to Shahidul and all the current staff at Drik on your 20th birthday. I was the first Photo Librarian and helped Shahidul set up Drik from 1989-1992. I was an Australian working there at the time. Its nice to be sitting here back in Australia and being inspired to see what Drik is today. After the 20 years from a small seed that was planted by Shahidul that grew into his long life ambition. It has really achieved its vision to change our perceptions of Bnagladesh and to make those voices and images visible glabally. What an inspiration and acheivement. Keep up this important work and may Drik live on!!!
Cheryle Yin-Lo, Blue Mountains-World Heritage Area
Australia
Happy 20th Birthday! It is inspiring to know that an organisation like Drik can not only survive 20 years in such a competitive industry full of ‘mega mart’ photo agencies but that it can be so innovative and prosperous. Congratulations on all your achievements and best of luck for the next 20!
Rob Godden
The Rights Exposure Project
UK/Nepal/South Korea
Congratulations!!! DRIK had persona of a grown up from day one but it really makes feel good that it turned 20. Hats off to Shahidul Alam, his spirit, his zeal, and to his team.