Entertainment Desk:

French artist Flavien Martinel’s solo art exhibition titled “Realms of Curiosity” is underway at Galerie Zoom of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in the capital. The event showcases 30 selected works from the artist’s existing body of work and offers visitors an insight into his artistic practice and the themes that have shaped his creative journey.
Moving between places, states of mind and personal encounters, Martinel transforms fragments of lived experience into expressive compositions through drawing and painting. His works emerge from a wide range of observations--from news and events that challenge his beliefs to encounters with stray dogs, birds seen in their unattainable freedom, and quieter moments of boredom, reflection and introspection.
Through spontaneous brushwork and varied techniques, “Realms of Curiosity” explores the unexpected details hidden within everyday life. Rather than presenting a single, linear narrative, the exhibition invites viewers to move through a collection of impressions, memories and experiences. His works create a visual space where observation meets imagination and instinct interacts with technique.
Alongside the exhibition, Martinel is undertaking a month-long artistic residency in Dhaka. During his stay, he is engaging with the city and its surroundings, exploring new ideas and developing his artistic practice while connecting with the local audience through creative activities.
As part of the residency, Martinel conducted a Graffiti & 3D Lettering Workshop at Alliance Française de Dhaka on 25 and 26 September. The hands-on workshop introduced participants to the expressive possibilities of graffiti, lettering and calligraphy through experimentation and creative practice.
Participants explored graffiti basics and techniques, lettering and calligraphy, three-dimensional effects, light and shadow, outlines and fills. They were also encouraged to rethink conventional alphabets and discover imaginative ways of giving letters meaning and personality.
The workshop reflected Martinel’s interest in experimentation and visual expression, presenting graffiti not merely as a technique but as a form of communication and creative interpretation.
Through the residency, exhibition and workshop, Martinel brings together artistic research, personal observation and creative exchange. His Dhaka experience allows the audience to encounter his existing works while also gaining a glimpse into the evolving process behind his artistic practice.
The exhibition will conclude on 9 October with a live concert by Martinel and his partner, Manmeet Kaur. As the artists behind CITOPIR, the duo will bring together the visual and musical dimensions of their collaborative practice through music, rap, image and live interaction, offering audiences another perspective on their creative world.