Dhaka:Personal memories, questions of identity, and a lifelong search for belonging have shaped the artistic journey of Tayeba Begum Lipi. She revisited the experiences behind her work at the 13th session of Cosmos Art Echo held in Dhaka.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the event, titled 'Being and Belonging', was organized by Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier-71 at Cosmos Centre. It brought together artists, diplomats, and members of the cultural community to hear Lipi reflect on influences such as childhood, travel, relationships, and personal struggles on her art.
Enayetullah Khan, Chairman of Cosmos Foundation and Editor Emeritus of United News of Bangladesh; Catherine Grace Gardner Khan, Creative Artistic Director of Cosmos Global Resources; and prominent artist Mahbubur Rahman, Lipi's husband and Co-Founder of Britto Arts Trust, attended the event. The audience also included Mahfuzur Rahman, speechwriter to the Prime Minister, alongside diplomats, artists, and art enthusiasts.
Lipi began by recalling how her elder brother encouraged her to study at the Institute of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, despite her initial reluctance. Her early years at the institute included art tours to Kathmandu, Jaflong, and the Sundarbans. Her artistic journey later crossed borders, including a residency at the Irish Museum of Modern Art and projects in London and Taiwan.
She discussed how her work incorporated objects of personal and emotional significance, such as her grandfather's gramophone and her mother's dressing table. Her practice evolved through performance and large-scale works, including pieces created during the Covid period. Lipi faced serious health challenges, including a lung infection, a stroke, and a cancer diagnosis, but she is now well and on medication.
Reflecting on her life with Mahbubur Rahman, whom she met while studying Fine Arts, Lipi described their relationship as a friendship rather than a conventional marriage. The couple preserved many belongings of writer Shawkat Osman after moving into their home, which they acquired through his connection.
Concluding her talk, Lipi invited the audience to her next exhibition at Bengal Gallery in 2027. Enayetullah Khan, in his remarks, thanked Lipi and the audience, emphasizing the role of art in bringing people together and confronting social issues. He expressed his intention to organize an event titled 'Art Against Corruption' in the future.
Cosmos Art Echo, launched under the Atelier71 Membership Programme, aims to connect artists and audiences through talks, workshops, art camps, film screenings, and other cultural activities.