Collecting Works: Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani

“Our mission is to share art with everyone.” After starting their collecting journey together 15 years ago, Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani decided to put their passion to use through the Samdani Art Foundation, which now has more than 2,000 works in its collection and has gifted works to institutions such as Tate and The Metropolitan Museum. “What we are trying to do with the Foundation is to build a collection, not just for ourselves but for future generations to see.”

Since its launch in 2011, the foundation has also supported hundreds of projects across the world, including many new commissions which allows them to be “a part of the artists' journey,” and has recently launched the Srihatta Samdani Art Centre and Sculpture Park with a dedicated residency space for young emerging artists.

In its second year, the foundation spearheaded the first Dhaka Art Summit – now an established art event hosted biannually, which aims to “bring the art world to Bangladesh” and put a spotlight on local artistic talent.

“Education has become a big part of our platform at the Dhaka Art Summit.” Alongside the main displays, the summit also hosts an extensive educational program, connecting international institutions, curators and universities with local artists, arts professionals and students – fostering knowledge sharing and strengthening the next generation at the forefront of the Bangladeshi art scene.

“These artists, these creative people, they have always inspired us and whatever we are doing today, it is them, it is their influence that is keeping us going.”