The timeless beauty of Bengal and its cultural heritage are currently being celebrated in Texas through the exhibition 'Bengal Bliss and Harmony'. Organized at the Lone Star College Art Gallery in Tomball, Texas, this event bridges the cultural gap between the USA and Bangladesh. Bangladeshi-American visual artist Tasnuva Rahman is showcasing her second solo exhibition, curated by Jill Brumer, chair of the Fine Arts Department at Lone Star College. The exhibition runs from October 29 to November 26.
Tasnuva’s artistic journey began during her childhood in Dhaka, where her parents encouraged her creativity. A visit to Shantiniketan in India during her second grade left a lasting impact, inspiring her to pursue art. She later graduated from the Department of Oriental Art at the Fine Arts Institute, University of Dhaka, in 2006.
Her exhibition features 30 mixed-media artworks, combining acrylic paint layers with recycled materials like brown paper, metal hangers, and fabric. The 'Lost Coins' series highlights Bengali script, rickshaw art, and old Bangladeshi coins, evoking memories of childhood and cultural nostalgia. Tasnuva vividly recalls using 10-paisa and 5-paisa coins to buy street food, which she has transformed into intricate paintings on black backdrops.
Her 'Tradition and Gold' series portrays the struggles and resilience of Bengali women, reflecting their beauty, traditions, and societal roles through seven detailed paintings. Tasnuva’s depiction of water lilies, Bangladesh’s national flower, has drawn significant praise for its dreamlike quality.
Now based in the US, Tasnuva is pursuing a Master’s degree at the University of Houston Downtown and works as an art instructor for senior citizens. She showcases her work on Instagram under @artnuvatx. Tasnuva’s dream of representing Bangladesh on the global stage is coming to life with 'Bengal Bliss and Harmony'.
