I am Tanjim Chowdhury, an artist originally from Bangladesh and currently based in Rennes, France.
Date of creation: November 2015
Dimensions: 90 cm x 60 cm
Technique(s) used: Acrylic painting on canvas
This work depicts a woman surrounded by flowers, painted in a Western style. The inspiration for this painting comes from a childhood story told by my grandmother about two sisters who once lived in our village. One of the sisters, named “Phool Kumari,” particularly struck me with her name and personality, and she inspired this work.Women are the source of supremacy and regulators of the world in sagas. They symbolize kindness and generosity while also being goddesses of perfection, capable of becoming destructive if necessary.
Date of creation: December 2020
Dimensions: 300 cm x 50 cm x 250 cm
Technique(s) used: Clay
This work is an installation composed of clay dolls, inspired by traditional dolls from Bangladesh. My headless dolls reflect the societal pressure on women to embody the ideal of a submissive woman without her own will. To receive compliments as an ideal and kind woman, it is often expected that one does not have personal thoughts and is controlled by someone else. On the other hand, if a woman tries to protest or make her own decisions, she is often labeled as disobedient.Among these dolls, only one has a head, but it is faceless and wears a crown of thorns. This symbolizes the idea that to make her own decisions and act according to her desires, a woman must be ready to suffer, be insulted by others, and take responsibility for protecting herself.
Among these dolls, only one has a head, but it is faceless and wears a crown of thorns…. Read more
This symbolizes the idea that, in order to make her own decisions and act according to her own desires, a woman must be prepared to suffer, to be insulted by others, and to take responsibility for protecting herself.
Date of creation: September 2014
Dimensions: 105 cm x 90 cm
Technique(s) used: Oil and acrylic painting on canvas
This artwork explores the deep connection between women and nature. Women, like nature, emerge, rise, live, and disappear within it. Sometimes fresh like trees, fertile like the earth, magnificent like flowers, immense like the sky, they illustrate this intimate connection.
The work depicts two friends dancing at the beginning of spring. The vibrant colors and patterns capture the joy of spring and flowers, imagining music emanating from the whisper of leaves. It is inspired by the cultural context of Bangladesh, blending Impressionism and influences from Georges Seurat.
Date of creation: May 2015
Dimensions: 60 cm x 90 cm
Technique(s) used: Acrylic painting on canvas
This still life presents a traditional Bangladeshi doll dressed in a Western dress adorned with Jamdani patterns, a prominent traditional textile in Bangladesh. In my work, I mix cultures, as I grew up in Bangladesh, my home country, and now live in France. I adapt to European culture while preserving my originality.
Date of creation: November 2020
Dimensions: 10 cm x 7 cm
Technique(s) used: Watercolor on paper
This work depicts a Bangladeshi woman glancing at social media. The inspiration for this painting came from a drawing by the famous Bangladeshi artist Kamrul Hasan. During the COVID pandemic, we were isolated from each other, and social media was the only way to monitor the lives of others. The colors and details of the work aim to reflect the importance of virtual connection during times of isolation.
Date of creation: December 2021
Dimensions: 10 cm x 150 cm x 5 cm
Technique(s) used: Mixed techniques
This work represents a collection of jewelry made from screws, pins, nails, cans, and ceramics. … Read more
These raw and sharp materials challenge the traditional idea of jewelry as a simple accessory of beauty, transforming it into a tool of defense. These pieces of jewelry are not only decorative but also function as genuine armor. Through this work, I propose that jewelry should not only be ornaments but also instruments of protection, offering mental and physical security to women.
Date of creation: March 2021
Dimensions: 20 cm x 15 cm
Technique(s) used: Aquatint
This work represents a self-portrait inspired by the famous painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Vermeer. Using the aquatint technique, I sought to capture the light, expression, and serenity that characterize the original work while integrating personal elements to reflect my own gaze and personality.
Date of creation: December 2015
Dimensions: 228.6 cm x 304.8 cm
Technique(s) used: Acrylic painting on fabric, canvas, and sand
Since the dawn of time, we conceptualize some kind of reflection of our thoughts, emotions, wishes, and experiences. This same technique has been applied to my work. Dreams inspire us to unleash our imagination and reflect on our passions, fears, and desires.The ocean is a feminine symbol that connects us to our divine feminine nature. Associated with compassion, creativity, and intuition, water reminds us that we are all connected energetically and by water itself. Dreaming of the ocean invites us to connect with our deeper selves and our true nature.
Date of creation: May 2022
Dimensions: Diameter 10 cm
Technique(s) used: Ink pen on wood
A central element of my artistic approach is the portrait of a faceless woman, adorned with a crown of thorns, drawn on the wood of a Mont d’Or cheese box with an ink pen. This unexpected material, discovered during my volunteering at the Red Cross for food distribution, deeply inspired me. The broken knot in this wood symbolizes the fractures and constraints imposed on women.
This work questions the roles assigned to women in Bangladeshi society. In Bangladesh, the majority of women are homemakers.
A central element of my artistic approach is the portrait of a faceless woman, … Read more
… decorated with a crown of thorns, drawn on the wood of a Mont d’Or cheese box with an ink pen. This unexpected material, discovered during my volunteer work at the Red Cross in food distribution, deeply inspired me. The broken knot of this wood symbolizes the breakages and constraints imposed on women. This work questions the roles assigned to women in Bangladeshi society. In Bangladesh, the majority of women are housewives and spend a lot of time preparing meals for their family, often without recognition or respect. Through this portrait, I wish to highlight their invisibility and their underestimated contribution.
Date de création : Mai 2024
Dimensions : 180 cm x 60 cm
Technique(s) utilisée(s) : Techniques mixtes
This piece represents a panoramic collage of the city of Rennes. While strolling through the city center, I took photos of the architecture, particularly the half-timbered buildings. I then printed these photos, cut out the parts that interested me, and combined them with elements of modern buildings. Some areas were hand-drawn to create a unique composition. I also used watercolor paint on the photos, merging different architectural styles to capture the dynamic and historical essence of Rennes.
Creation Date: December 2013
Dimensions: 30.48 cm x 25.4 cm
Technique(s) Used: Woodcut Engraving
Creation Date: December 2013
Dimensions: 25.4 cm x 35.56 cm
Technique(s) Used: Collage
This artwork depicts a still life composed of various objects such as vegetables, glass bottles, fabrics, and porcelain, created using different types of glued paper. The diverse textures and materials bring a unique visual richness, highlighting the diversity and beauty of everyday objects.
Creation Date: June 2015
Dimensions: 90 cm x 75 cm
Technique(s) Used: Acrylic painting on canvas
This still life depicts various objects symbolizing an escape from urban turmoil, noise, and the monotony of life. My work expresses the longing to return to a natural, rural environment, abundant in greenery. This is the central theme of my art.
Creation Date: July 2021
Dimensions: 10 cm x 7 cm
Technique(s) Used: Watercolor on marble
This work depicts the hallway of the Museum of Fine Arts of Besançon, a significant source of inspiration during my first visit to France in late March 2018. Although the museum was under renovation at the time, and I couldn’t enter, its architecture deeply intrigued me. After a few months, I had the opportunity to return to France, and in November 2019, I was finally able to visit the museum. This watercolor captures the essence of that long-awaited moment.
Creation Date: May 2024
Dimensions: 20 cm x 20 cm
Technique(s) Used: Acrylic painting
This artwork portrays a mother holding her child, capturing the intimate bond and emotional connection between them…. Read more
The use of acrylic paint brings depth and vibrancy to the figures, highlighting the nurturing relationship that is central to the theme. Through this piece, I aim to explore the strength, tenderness, and profound love inherent in motherhood. The composition is simple yet evocative, focusing on the emotional resonance between mother and child.
Creation Date: March 2014
Dimensions: 60 cm x 45 cm
Techniques Used: Oil and acrylic paint on canvas
I created a self-portrait, depicting myself as an Indigenous Indian. This work reflects the various thoughts that constantly haunt my mind and my desire to return to a primitive society, free of complexity.
Under the influence of urban modernity, we forget our own existence…
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Creation Date: March 2015
Dimensions: 90 cm x 55 cm
Techniques Used: Oil and acrylic on canvas
Childhood memories are precious treasures for every individual. Clay handmade dolls, cars, toys, and many other objects symbolize this period of life, reminding me of those golden days.
In this artwork, the presence of natural landscapes represents the rural environment where I grew up, immersed in the beauty of nature. I used Jamdani Sari patterns on the tablecloth, a traditional and prominent textile in Bangladesh, symbolizing the prosperity of Bengali culture. The small footprints evoke nostalgia and the longing to return to those golden days.