Murshida Arzu Alpana (b. 1961, Dhaka) graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, in 1983 and did her masters from Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, in 1988. She went to Germany on a scholarship in 1993. Alpana settled in Berlin but in all the time since, has not been able to either spread deep enough roots in her adopted country, or extricate the old ones that connect her to the ‘life of the significant soil’ to which she is emotionally tied. The works in Living in Two Worlds, done in acrylic mixed media, collage and silk print, were about Alpana’s perceptions of a mechanized and digitalized world where human values are suppressed. She uses the word ‘Spagat’ to describe her effort to connect her past and present. Her awards include the Best Overseas Artist Award in Oil, Golden Jubilee Trust, London (1992), 2nd Prize in Watercolour, 7th and 8th Annual Exhibition of Miniature Art, Toronto (1993), DAAD Scholarship, Berlin (1993-95) and Diploma of Excellence Award, Art Now, UK (2010). She was made ‘most distinguished artist’ at the centenary reception, ROSL, UK (2010).

Date: 16.02.2006 – 28.02.2006
Venue: Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts