Profile:

Rokeya Sultana is one of the most prominent contemporary artists and printmakers of Bangladesh, internationally recognised for her distinctive visual language that merges symbolism, mythology, memory, and feminine subjectivity. Born in 1958, she studied at the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka (now Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka), where she later emerged as an influential educator and practitioner in the field of printmaking.

Widely celebrated for her mastery of etching and printmaking techniques, Rokeya Sultana developed a highly individualistic aesthetic marked by dreamlike imagery, layered symbolism, and psychological depth. Her works frequently feature recurring motifs such as owls, female figures, birds, masks, and hybrid creatures, functioning as metaphors for introspection, wisdom, vulnerability, and social observation.

A defining aspect of her practice is the integration of folk memory and contemporary consciousness. While rooted in the technical rigour of traditional printmaking, her compositions move beyond conventional narrative structures, creating spaces where the real and the surreal coexist. Her use of line, tonal gradation, and textured surfaces demonstrates a sophisticated command over the graphic medium, while her symbolic vocabulary often engages with themes of identity, gender, emotional resilience, and the subconscious.

The owl, one of her most recognisable motifs, appears throughout her oeuvre as a layered symbol—at once watchful, mystical, and contemplative. Through these recurring forms, Rokeya Sultana constructs an imaginative world that is intensely personal yet universally resonant.

In addition to her studio practice, she has played a significant role in the development of contemporary art education in Bangladesh through her long academic association with the University of Dhaka. Her works have been exhibited extensively across Asia, Europe, and the United States, and are held in important public and private collections internationally.

Over the course of her career, Rokeya Sultana has received numerous accolades for her contribution to art and printmaking, establishing herself as a key figure in the evolution of contemporary South Asian graphic art.

Her practice remains significant for its ability to transform printmaking into a deeply poetic and introspective medium—where symbolism, memory, and emotional experience converge within a richly textured visual language.