ROKEYA SULTANA

Professor Rokeya Sultana (b. 1958, Chittagong, Bangladesh) is one of Bangladesh’s most distinguished contemporary artists and printmakers, celebrated for her profound artistic vision and influential role in shaping the country’s cultural landscape. Her work—deeply rooted in themes of identity, womanhood, memory, and the human condition—is recognised both nationally and internationally for its intellectual depth and visual strength. Rokeya completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka (1980), and earned her Master of Fine Arts (Printmaking) from Visva‑Bharati University, Santiniketan, India (1983). She later advanced her artistic practice through prestigious residencies and fellowships, including a Fulbright grant at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a French government scholarship at L’Atelier Lacourière et Frélaut, Paris. Her works have been exhibited widely across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East, with major solo and group shows in countries such as France, Germany, USA, Japan, Iran, Turkey, Nepal, Denmark, and Oman. Sultana’s art is held in esteemed public and private collections, including the Bangladesh National Museum, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and Academy of Art University (San Francisco). A devoted educator, Rokeya serves as Professor in the Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, where she has mentored generations of emerging artists. Her contributions to art education and practice have earned her numerous national and international awards, including the Grand Prize at the Bharat Bhavan Print Biennale (India), awards at the Asian Art Biennale, and the prestigious Ekushey Padak (2025)—Bangladesh’s second‑highest civilian honour. Rokeya Sultana’s artistic legacy is characterised by an enduring exploration of cultural memory, layered visual narratives, and technical innovation, making her a vital voice in contemporary South Asian art.