About Myself
I am a multidisciplinary artist, weaving together poetry and visual art to explore themes of identity, introspection, and the complexities of the human experience. Born and raised in Khulna, Bangladesh, my creative sensibilities were shaped by the rich cultural heritage that surrounded me. From an early age, I was drawn to illustrated books of poetry and storytelling, an influence that continues to shape my artistic practice today.
My journey as an artist began with writing and drawing, later expanding into theater when I was fifteen. While performance offered a new dimension to my creative expression, I eventually returned to painting and writing, where I found my truest artistic voice. Poetry has always been at the heart of my work. In 2005, I edited the little magazine Sahaj, and in 2006, I translated Charyapada, the earliest known Bengali text, into modern Bengali. My first poetry collection, Geography in a Zoo…, was published in 2008, followed by Satan’s Fancy Factory in 2009. Over the years, my poetry has continued to evolve, reflecting both personal introspection and a deep engagement with contemporary themes.
With a background in English literature, I initially pursued a career in copywriting after moving to Dhaka. However, I found that commercial writing often disrupted my creative rhythm. Seeking an alternative mode of expression, I turned to visual art, allowing my ideas to take shape beyond words. What began as an extension of my literary practice soon became its own distinct artistic language, and painting is now at the center of my creative exploration.
My work is predominantly conceptual, delving into personal and societal tensions, political undercurrents, love, conflict, fantasy, and satire. I primarily work with pen, pencil, and watercolor, and acrylic. Sometimes expanding into oil and mixed media. Through my paintings, I seek to translate the fluidity of poetry into visual form, creating narratives that resonate on both intellectual and emotional levels.
I embrace the endless process of learning and discovery. Whether through words or images, my work is a continuous exploration of the interplay between language, memory and meaning.
Exhibitions & Artistic Engagements
Solo Exhibitions
Over the years, I have had the privilege of presenting my work through several solo exhibitions, each marking a new chapter in my artistic journey:
Fourth solo: Soliloquy (Bot-tola, Khulna, 2023)
Third solo: Bimbo/Reflection (Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, 2016)
Second solo: Firefly (Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, 2015)
First solo: Insider (Home studio, 2013)
Alternative Solo Exhibitions
I believe art is not confined to traditional gallery spaces. Exploring new formats, I have embraced alternative platforms to share my work:
Online Solo Exhibition – Hosted by pratidhwanibd.com Mindscape (August 26 – September 28, 2023) and Another Reality (September 1 – September 30)
Projector-based Solo Exhibition & Artist Talk – Organized by Bot-tola, Khulna (December 11, 2020)
Group Exhibitions
My work has also been part of several group exhibitions, allowing me to engage with contemporary artistic dialogues and collective expressions:
A workshop and exhibition on clay sculpture (Bot-tola, Khulna, 2026)
Women in Art (Vukhanda, 2025)
Harmony (Kalakendra, 2024)
Song of Roots (Selected works of Shwasmul Arts at Alliance Francaise de, Dhaka, 2023)
Anonymous 2 (Kalakendra, an artist run space, 2023)
Anonymous 1 (Kalakendra, an artist run space, 2022)
Ephemeral Reflections (Arcadia Arts, a contemporary art gallery, 2022)
Nature-Study and Creation – 2 (Shwasmul Arts, Residency and exhibition, 2021)
Pattachitra workshop and exhibition (Bornika Art Studio, Jessore, 2020)
Young Tides (Gallery Darkaak, 2018)
Literary Contributions
As both a poet and a visual artist, words have always been an essential part of my creative practice. My literary work includes poetry collections and translations that explore language, memory, and introspection:
Charyacharyo Binishchoy – A modern translation of Charyapada, the earliest known Bengali text (2006)
Geography in a Zoo… – Poetry Collection (2008)
Satan’s Fancy Factory – Poetry Collection (2009)
Popcorn – Poetry Collection (2014)
The Thinking Machine – Poetry Collection (2019)
A Random Conversation with Late Autumn – Poetry Collection (2022)
Let the Colors be Reborn – Poetry Collection (2025)
Theatre & Performance
My creative pursuits have also extended into performing arts. Over the years, I have participated in various theatrical productions, including street performances, audio dramas, and staged works, each offering a dynamic way to explore narratives beyond the canvas and the page.
Published Articles
The life of a symbol
সময়ের প্রয়োজনে: দেয়ালে আঁকা জুলাই
Painting the invisible: Why I chose the language of symbols
উত্তরাধুনিক প্রেক্ষাপটে বাংলাদেশের নারী শিল্পীদের শিল্পচর্চা
Media Coverage
Here is a selection of articles, interviews, and features that reflect my journey in visual art and poetry.
Lubna Charya’s solo painting exhibition Reflections
Ephemeral Reflection celebrates femininity at Arcadia
Lubna Charya’s painting show begins at AFD tomorrow
Lubna Charya’s ‘Reflections’ begins at AFD
‘Ephemeral Reflection’: Art for a Cause
Lubna Charya’s poetry and paintings
Lubna paints nature, life in watercolour
Exhibition Materials
