Biography

June 12th, 2025 07:24 AM

Md Rafiqul Islam Raby, a young emerging printmaking artist from Bangladesh was born in Purbodorilla of Nandail in the district of Mymensingh on October 15, 1993. His academic career began while he was quite young, having graduated in 2014 with a BFA in printmaking from the University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Fine Arts. He earned an MFA in printmaking from the University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Fine Arts in 2016. Later he achieved the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relationship) Scholarship 2017-2019 and completed a second MFA degree from the Graphic Art Department (Printmaking), Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, in 2019.

His art delves into the human condition and the world we inhabit, showcasing his versatility in printmaking techniques. His works are a mirror to society, addressing its complexities and concerns, often overlooked. He advocates for peace and humanity, emphasizing unity and harmony in a troubled world. Through his art, he challenges viewers to reassess their roles of existence. His work communicates his humanitarian viewpoint, calling for unity in a fractured society. He uses his artistic abilities to express thoughts on humanity’s relationship with evolution and automation, urging spectators to reconsider their positions in this complex existence. In 2019, he held a significant solo Print Exhibition, ″Transformation.″

Rafiqul Islam, despite his artistic journey, is also currently serving as a Lecturer at the Fine Arts Department of Islamic University in Kushtia, Bangladesh.

Education

2019: MASTERS OF FINE ARTS
Graphic Art Department (Printmaking), Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India
2016: MASTERS OF FINE ARTS
Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka
2014: BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka

Awards and Achievements

2022: Best Printmaking Award, 6th DOOARS ANNUAL AN INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION, India
2022: 1st Award Winner, Berger Young Painter’s Art Competition-2022
2022: Kali Artist Residency Grant 2022, Cosmos Atelier 71 Studio
2021: Honorable Mention Award, 24th National Art Exhibition by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
2021: Honorable Award from IWS California, USA
2020: Best Printmaking Award, 22nd Young Artist Award by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
2020: 4th Award Winner, Berger Young Painter’s Art Competition-2020
2020: Artist Mohammad Kibria Printmaking Media Best Award 2019, Mymensingh Bibhagiyo Charushilpi Parshad
2019: Somnath Hore Memorial Award, Visva Bharti Pensioners Association
2019: 5th Award Winner, Berger Young Painter’s Art Competition-2019
2018: 3rd Award Winner, Kibria Young Printmakers Award-2018
2018: Certificate of Appreciation, Young Santiniketan Artist’ Exhibition, SSVAD, Santiniketan, India
2018: 1st Award Winner, Painting Competition, Bengalore Science City & Visva Bharati University
2017: ICCR Scholarship for Post Graduation, Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharti, Santiniketan, India
2016: Artist Mohammod Kibria Memorial Award, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka
2016: 4th Award Winner, 21st Berger Young Painters’ Art Competition
2015: Artist Mahmudul Haque Printmaking Award, University of Dhaka
2014: Certificate of Merit, Annual Art Exhibition, Printmaking, University of Dhaka
2013: Departmental Media Best Award (Watercolor), University of Dhaka

Solo Exhibitions

2019: “TRANSFORMATION”, 2nd Solo Print Exhibition at La Galerie, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Bangladesh
2019: “EXCAVATION OF MINE”, MFA Final Display, Graphic Art Department, Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati, India
2019: “বাংলার রূপায়ন” (Imaging Bengal), 1st Solo Painting Exhibition, Somnath Hore International Artist’s Residency, Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati

International Exhibitions

2022: International Biennial Print Exhibit: 2022 R.O.C., National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
2021: “Brushstrokes of Harmony”, IWS California, USA
2021: Nirantar 21, 3rd International Online Art Exhibition, India
2020: International Biennial Print Exhibit: 2020 R.O.C., Taiwan
2019: Swayambhu Painting Exhibition, New Delhi
2019: “APOTHEOSIS”, Annual Show, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
2019: 7th Guanlan International Print Biennial, China
2018: Young Santiniketan Artist’ Exhibition, SSVAD, India
2018: 3rd International Biennial of Mini Print, Laguna Paiva, Argentina
2017: 4th International Small Etching Biennial Graphium, Timisoara, Romania
2017: 1st All India Contemporary Art Exhibition, Haridwar, India
2017: “GRADIENTS”, Handmade Prints, Thane, Maharashtra, India
2014: “Moitri”, DU and VBU Faculty Show, Nandan Gallery, Visva-Bharti University, India

Group Exhibitions

2022: 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh
2022: 27th Berger Young Painters Art Exhibition
2021: 24th National Art Exhibition
2020: “Triumph of Death”, Virtual Show by Citrakala Gallery
2020: “Trinayan”, Group Exhibition, Cosmos Gallery
2020: Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Museum Group Show, Mymensingh
2019: 24th Berger Young Painters Art Exhibition
2019: 23rd National Art Exhibition
2019: Kibria Young Printmakers Award Exhibition
2018: 23rd Berger Young Painters Art Exhibition
2018: 21st Young Artist Art Exhibition
2017: 22nd Berger Young Painters Art Exhibition
2016: 20th Young Artist Art Exhibition
2016: China-Bangladesh Friendship Art Exhibition
2016: 21st Berger Young Painters Art Exhibition
2016: “Jolkeli”, Watercolor Group Show, Zainul Gallery
2015: 21st National Art Exhibition
2015: 5th Tone International Miniature Art Biennale
2015: 20th Youth Berger Art Exhibition
2015: Kahal Art Fair, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
2014: “Urban Experience”, Monoprint Group Show
2013: Rashed Smrity Art Exhibition
2010–2016: Annual Exhibitions, Printmaking Department, University of Dhaka

Workshops

2021: Residency Programme by Kibria Printmaking Studio, Dhaka
2020: Young Printmakers Online Workshop by Thappa
2019: Swayambhu Painting Camp, Delhi
2018: Silkscreen Poster Printing Workshop by Amit Mukhopadhay, Kala Bhavana
2017: 2nd Woodcut Workshop by Kala Uday Art Society, Haryana
2017: “GRADIENTS” Printmaking Workshop, Art Privilege, Maharashtra
2017: Water Colour Workshop by Md. Aloptogin Tusar
2017: Black & White Woodcut Workshop by Ratan Mojumder, Dhaka University
2016: Printmaking Workshop by Shahid Kabir
2015: Art Workshop Beyond Genocide
2014: Two-Faculty Exchange Program, Graphic Art Department, Visva-Bharati
2014: “Urban Experience”, Monoprint Workshop
2013: Crafts Workshop, Athena Gallery, Dhaka

Collection

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka; National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan; and various institutional and private collections worldwide.