By Irene Saha
Were you interested in art, literature, or other creative activities from a young age?
Yes, I have always been interested in art and literature. One of my favourite childhood memories is my mother reading stories and poetry to me. Both my parents are artists, so art came very naturally into my life. I also loved making things handmade cards, tiny clay jewellery, painting sarees, anything I could create with my hands. Rather than playing outside, I spent most of my childhood either reading storybooks or making something for myself or for the people I loved.
Can you share some memorable experiences that shaped your interests and personality?
I was a very shy person growing up. I hardly spoke, and when I did, my voice was so soft that even I could barely hear myself. I had almost no confidence.
But somehow, I was selected as an exchange student for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program for the 2008–09 school year. That gave me the opportunity to complete my 12th grade in the United States, where I lived with an American host family and attended Bremerton High School.
To be honest, that one year completely changed my life. Bremerton High School was not particularly known for its academics, but it had an incredibly diverse student body. I met people from different cultural backgrounds, religions, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Being surrounded by such diversity broadened my perspective and challenged many assumptions I didn’t even realize I had. More importantly, it changed the way I saw myself.
My teachers and classmates were kind, supportive, and encouraged me to express my thoughts. For the first time, I felt that my opinions mattered. Instead of being judged for speaking up, I was encouraged to do so. That experience gradually built my confidence and taught me that it was okay to have a voice.
Interestingly, before going to the United States, I wanted to become an engineer, just like many of my classmates back in Rajshahi. During my time at Bremerton High School, however, my guidance counselor gave me advice that actually changed my life. He said, “You know, Ruxmini, I have no doubt that you’ll do well in whatever subject you choose, but I really think you’ll shine if you pursue a creative field.” It was the first time someone outside my family had recognized that side of me. His words made me seriously reconsider the future I had imagined for myself. When I returned to Bangladesh, I decided to follow that instinct and enrolled in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka instead.
I am still an introvert, and I still enjoy quiet spaces. But today, if I need to speak in front of a thousand people, I can. Looking back, that exchange year didn’t just give me confidence, it completely changed the direction of my life.
What are some hobbies or activities that bring you joy outside your academic and professional life? If you had an entire day with no work or academic responsibilities, how would you spend it?
Sleeping! Just kidding.
After working nine or ten hours a day, finding time to study, and also balancing life as a married woman, an only daughter, and someone who helps care for ageing parents, sleeping honestly starts to feel like a hobby.
But, as I mentioned before, I love making things. What I enjoy the most is making jewellery from discarded clothes, broken objects, and found materials. I find it fascinating to transform something that others might throw away into something beautiful and wearable. Whenever I get some free time, that’s usually what I turn to.
I also enjoy sewing, although it requires much more time than I usually have. I think I currently have at least five unfinished sewing projects waiting for me since 2023.
Have your hobbies changed over the years, or have they remained consistent since childhood? Is there a particular hobby that helps you relax, reflect, or recharge?
Definitely! My hobbies have changed many times over the years. I would become deeply fascinated by something, spend months learning everything about it, and then move on to another interest. At different points in my life, my hobbies have included astrology, astronomy, geology, archaeology, theology, physics, and chemistry. I have also danced and acted.
But if there is one thing that has remained constant, it is making things by hand, especially jewellery. That has stayed with me since childhood. Art itself was also always a hobby. Interestingly, I never imagined becoming an artist professionally; I simply enjoyed creating.
Writing has also been a constant companion. There was a time when blogging was popular, and I maintained a blog where I wrote regularly. I don’t write as much anymore, but whenever something deeply affects me, whether it’s work, family, or the socio-political situation, I find myself writing again. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that the writing finds me.
Do your hobbies influence your work as a curator or your studies in literature and cultural studies?
Absolutely. Because I have explored so many different interests over the years, I have built friendships and connections with people from a wide range of professional fields. I have also picked up knowledge about science, history, religion, commerce, and many other subjects simply because I was curious.
Those seemingly unrelated hobbies have become surprisingly valuable in curatorial practice. Curating often involves collaborating with people outside the art world: scientists, architects, environmentalists, historians, technologists, and many others. Having a genuine curiosity about different fields helps me communicate across disciplines and imagine new ways of working together.
My decision to pursue Literature and Cultural Studies also came from my lifelong love of reading. I especially enjoy poetry. Around 2016, I came across Kaiser Md. Hamidul Haq Sir’s poem Ode on the Lungi, and that was my introduction to his writing. I became an admirer of his work long before I imagined studying at ULAB. Nearly a decade later, he is now my teacher. Life has a funny way of coming full circle, and I still find that quite amazing.
Are there any creative pursuits or personal passions that people might be surprised to know about?
Many people are surprised to learn that I acted in television dramas and telefilms about a decade ago. I even acted alongside Nisho. The funny part is that I have never actually watched any of those productions. I was more interested in the experience of trying something new than in seeing myself on screen.
Looking back at your journey from school student to art historian, curator, and MA student, What has been the most meaningful lesson you’ve learned? What advice would you give to young people who are interested in art, literature, and cultural studies but are unsure about pursuing these fields?
Answer: If I look back at my journey, I don’t think there was ever a moment when I was completely certain that this was the right path. Most of the opportunities that shaped my life came unexpectedly: from an exchange programme, to choosing Art History as my undergraduate subject, to entering the field of curating, and eventually returning to university after years of professional work to study Literature and Cultural Studies, a subject different from both my undergraduate background and my profession. If I have learned one thing, it is that curiosity is much more important than certainty.
When I enrolled in Art History in 2009, it was still a relatively new subject in Bangladesh. Many people were unfamiliar with what studying art history meant or what career opportunities it could lead to. I was also stepping into an unfamiliar territory, but I was drawn to the subject because it brought together many things I was already passionate about: art, history, culture, literature, and human stories. Looking back, choosing a less conventional path taught me the importance of following curiosity rather than simply following the most expected route.
After completing my studies in Art History, I entered the field of curating at a time when curatorial practice was also still developing in Bangladesh. It was an exciting period because many artists and art practitioners were beginning to explore what it meant to curate, not just as a way of organizing exhibitions, but as a practice of research, storytelling, creating contexts, and building conversations around art. There was no fixed formula; I learned through practice, experimenting, questioning, and discovering how exhibitions could become spaces for dialogue between artists, audiences, and ideas.
Over the years, curating has taught me that artworks are never isolated objects. They are connected to histories, communities, politics, memories, and personal experiences. A curator’s role is not simply to present answers but to create spaces where different perspectives can come together. Every exhibition I work on, every artist I meet, and every conversation I have continues to change the way I see the world.
Returning to university after years of working was another important step in my journey. Choosing Literature and Cultural Studies was not a straightforward continuation of my academic background, but it felt very natural because reading and storytelling have always been a part of my life. This experience reminded me that learning does not have an age limit, and that our interests do not have to fit neatly into one discipline. Sometimes, the things we explore out of curiosity become the very things that enrich our work and our understanding of the world.
To anyone who is interested in art, literature, or cultural studies but feels unsure about pursuing these fields, I would say: don’t worry if your path is not straightforward. These fields may not always offer a predictable career trajectory, but they offer something equally valuable—a way of understanding people, cultures, histories, and ourselves.
Read widely. Visit exhibitions and museums. Watch films. Explore subjects beyond your own discipline. Some of the most meaningful ideas come from unexpected connections. And don’t be afraid when people ask, “What will you do with a degree in the arts?” There is never just one answer. The skills you develop, from critical thinking, empathy, research, creativity, and communication, they can take you in many different directions.
Most importantly, don’t wait until you feel completely confident to begin. Confidence often comes through the journey itself. That has certainly been true in my own life. I went from being someone who could barely speak above a whisper to someone who now speaks publicly about art and culture. Looking back, I realize that every small step mattered. Curiosity opened the doors, and persistence kept them open.
