The 18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2018 took place at the National Theatre auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from September 1 to 30. President Abdul Hamid inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest and distributed the awards among the winners at the National Theatre Hall of BSA on Septender 1.  The exhibition showcased the artistic heritage and contemporary aesthetic trends of Asia. Two and three-dimensional artworks such as painting, prints, photography, sculpture, installation, performance art and new media art were put on display in the month-long exhibition.

The exhibition hosted around 583 artworks by 266 foreign artists and 199 Bangladeshi artists. Among the 266 foreign artists, 223 came under competition and 29 are under special invitation, along with 14 performance artists. Among the 199 Bangladeshi artists, works by 107 artists are under competition, while works by 63 artists got special invitation. In addition, 16 local performing artists displayed their works at the biennale along with the work of 13 master painters.

A total 68 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, The Philippines, The United States of America (USA) and Germany participated in the event. l