Rokeya Sultana is a well-known and respected artist and teacher who has made significant contributions to the field of art, especially in the area of printmaking. As a recipient of the Ekushey Padak, her work shows a strong link to her cultural background and experiences.
Early Life and Education
Rokeya Sultana was born in Chittagong in 1958. The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 had an impact on her early life and gave her a strong sense of national identity. In 1983, she got her MFA in printmaking from Visva Bharati, Santiniketan. Before that, she graduated from the Bangladesh College of Arts and Crafts in 1980.
Career and Accomplishments
At the University of Dhaka, Rokeya Sultana is a professor in the Department of Printmaking in the Faculty of Fine Arts. She used to be the chair of that department. Many national and foreign awards and honours have come her way as an artist. In Poland, Germany, Morocco, France, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Taiwan, Nepal, Korea, Denmark, Pakistan, India, the USA, and Japan, among other places, Sultana's work has been shown.
Artistic Style and Influences
Rokeya's art looks at different ethnic identities, what it means to be female, and the human condition. Her work shows a strong intuition and imagination, and it often deals with the struggles and successes of women.
Her powerful works reflect themes of loss and displacement, deeply influenced by her experiences of moving between countries since childhood. Among her most celebrated pieces are the "Madonna" series, which chronicles the emotional journey of a middle-class mother, and her innovative "Fata Morgana" pressure print series, which captures mirage-like forms on paper. Her works, such as those in "Earth Water Air", also offer abstract interpretations of the Bangladeshi landscape.
Awards and Recognition of Rokeya Sultana
Rokeya Sultana is known both in her home country and around the world for her hard work and ability. She has won prizes at important art shows like the Asian Biennale and the National Art Exhibition. She also got a training fellowship at L'Atelier Lacouriere et Frelaut in Paris and a Fulbright grant from the US, which paid for her to live and work as an artist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for nine months.
Rokeya Sultana won the Ekushey Padak for art in 2025. In Bangladesh, the Ekushey Padak is the second most crucial citizen award. It is given for work in many areas, such as culture, education, and economics.
Ekushey Padak
The Ekushey Padak is given every year to people who have made outstanding achievements in many areas. An 18-karat gold medal, a badge of honour, and money are all part of the award. The Ekushey Padak is named for the people who died during the Bengali Language Movement in 1952.
Legacy
Rokeya Sultana's influence extends beyond her art. As a dedicated teacher, she has inspired and guided numerous students, shaping the future of the art community in Bangladesh. Her profound commitment to her work and her thoughtful exploration of cultural and personal issues have earned her a prominent place in the art world. Her life as an artist, teacher, and cultural figure serves as a powerful example for artists and individuals in Bangladesh and across the globe.
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