‘Bengali’ photo exhibit opens in Jackson Heights

An opening reception for photographer Shams M. Tarek’s exhibition “Bengali” will be held at Expresso 77 from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6.
Born in Dhaka, Tarek moved to Queens with his family at a very young age. Formerly a journalist, Tarek now works in New York City politics.
The exhibition features photographs that were taken in 2000 and 2006 in Bangladesh and “reflect not only the broad range of human emotion, but that particular resilience of a people intimate with hardship and dignified in the anachronism of an ancient culture practiced in a rapidly changing nation.”
The prints are being sold with a portion of the proceeds going to support organizations such as SAYA! South Asian Youth Action, Chhaya Community Development Corporation, and the Bangladesh Chief Advisor’s Welfare Relief Fund, which is assisting victims of Cyclone Sidr.
“Bengali” will be on display at Expresso 77 from May 6 to June 2. Expresso 77 is located at 35-57 77th Street in Jackson Heights.
For more information on Tarek’s work, visit www.shamstarek.com.