United News of Bangladesh

A three-day printmaking workshop titled “Impressions of Rokeya–2”, conducted by eminent artist Rokeya Sultana, began on Friday at Cosmos-Atelier71 at Cosmos Centre in the city. The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of Rokeya Sultana, Professor of the Department of Printmaking under the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka, who received the Ekushey Padak in 2025 for her contribution to painting. Director of COSMOS-Atelier71 Tehmina Enayet, Executive Editor of United News of Bangladesh Nahar Khan, artists, students, and art enthusiasts were also present at the inauguration. Speaking on the occasion, Tehmina Enayet said Rokeya Sultana has long been closely associated with COSMOS-Atelier71, not only as an artist but also as a mentor and collaborator. She said the idea of organising the workshop emerged shortly after Rokeya’s return from abroad and was arranged within a very short time due to the enthusiastic response from participants. Rokeya Sultana, in her address, expressed gratitude to the organisers and participants. She said the workshop was designed particularly for those outside the formal printmaking discipline to introduce them to the creative possibilities of the medium. Describing printmaking as a “search of the mind,” she highlighted the freedom of expression and experimentation the process allows. During the workshop, Rokeya introduced participants to the collagraph process—a versatile printmaking technique where textured printing plates are created by attaching materials such as paper, fabric, leaves, sand, string, and cardboard onto a rigid base. The plates can be printed using both relief and intaglio methods, producing richly textured and expressive images. Rokeya Sultana is a distinguished name in Bangladesh’s contemporary art scene. A former chairperson of the Department of Printmaking at the University of Dhaka, she has exhibited her works widely at home and abroad. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Dhaka and a Master of Fine Arts from Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, India. Her works are noted for strong narratives, sensual exploration, and abstract compositions. “My Ekushey Padak salutes the strength of Bangladeshi women:” Rokeya Sultana