Born in Syhlet, eastern Bangladesh in 1977 — a location that might not instantly come to mind as a global arts hub, but is set to see an influx of culture in 2018 when the Samdanis will open their contemporary art centre — Begum moved to the UK and completed her MFA in painting at the Slade School of Fine Art.
Her work is characterized by colours and geometrical shapes, reminiscent of painted miniatures and Islamic architecture. It is both personal and minimalist, with colour and spatial relations taking primacy.
Notably represented by one of the most prestigious galleries in Dubai — The Third Line — as well as Jhaveri contemporary in Mumbai and Christian Lethert in Cologne, Begum’s work has been exhibited across the globe. Notable exhibitions include shows at Parasol Unit, the Dhaka Art Summit in 2014 — for which curator Diana Campbell Betancourt commissioned a beautifully simple but unusual work — and the Delfina Foundation.
Rana Begum opened the doors of her east London studio to Happening…
Photos: Sarah Bates. Article : Jessica Saxby, Anne Maniglier
Read more on Rana Begum here.
This article is part of H A P P E N I N G's series "One Artist | One Studio"
