Art Exhibition Exposes Deadly Cost of Fast Fashion on Workers' Lungs

An interactive art exhibition titled Into My Lungs concluded at the Alliance Française de Dhaka in Gulshan on Friday. The project combined installations, textile art, and a documentary to highlight the harsh realities faced by textile and spinning industry workers.

The exhibition explored the journey from cotton to cloth while exposing the health struggles of those behind the garments.

The centrepiece of the project was a documentary film revealing life-threatening hazards in textile factories. It focused on byssinosis, a lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to cotton dust. Many workers, unable to afford health insurance, only sought help after developing tuberculosis.

Installation artworks traced the production process, from raw cotton to finished fabric. Each piece underscored the suffering of labourers, often overlooked by global fast fashion consumers. The organisers aimed to bridge this gap by making the human cost of clothing visible.

Beyond raising awareness, the exhibition pushed for better working conditions and healthcare access. It called on local and international audiences to recognise their role in the industry's supply chain. The event did not disclose details about participating artists or their origins.

The Into My Lungs project closed after urging visitors to reconsider their connection to the textile trade. Through film, art, and installations, it laid bare the health crises faced by workers. Organisers hope the exhibition will lead to tangible improvements in labour rights and medical support.