Afsana Sharmin
Assistant Professor, BUFT
About
Afsana Sharmin is a remarkable artist and educator from
Bangladesh with a deep passion for fine arts and fashion studies. She earned
her Master of Fine Arts in 2011 and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2009 from the
University of Chittagong, where she excelled academically, achieving impressive
grades of 3.42 and 3.53. Her master’s thesis, "Novera: The Legend,"
reflects her dedication to amplifying women's voices in art, highlighting her
commitment to diverse perspectives.
Between 2008 and 2012, Afsana was actively involved with
Porapara Space for Artists, a nonprofit organization that fosters creativity
and collaboration within the artistic community. This experience fueled her
passion for supporting fellow artists.
Since September 2016, Afsana has been serving as an
Assistant Professor in the Fashion Studies Department at BGMEA University of
Fashion & Technology in Dhaka. In this role, not only does she design
engaging curricula and deliver lectures on topics such as the Aesthetics of Art
and Sub-Continental Costume, but she also takes the time to mentor her
students, bringing together the worlds of academia and the vibrant art
community through collaborative projects and workshops.
Afsana is a strong advocate for the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), actively incorporating these principles into her teaching and art
since 2007. In 2024, she embraced new experiences by participating in an art
residency in Kenya, which further enriched her cross-cultural engagement and
artistic journey.
Her art has been featured in numerous group exhibitions and
cultural festivals around the globe, with displays in Japan, India, South
Korea, China, Finland, and Kenya. Before her current position, she shared her
expertise by teaching art at Chittagong Grammar School from 2015 to 2016 and
served as the Art Director at Free-fall Studios from 2014 to 2015, where she
designed innovative television sets and managed creative projects.
Additionally, she has worked as a freelance designer and art teacher, maintaining
her connections with organizations like Porapara Space for Artists.
Afsana has held impactful solo exhibitions, including
"I Wish, I Can Carry You in My Womb for a Lifetime" in 2023, "If
Winter Comes, Can Spring Be Far Behind" in 2012, and "To the Feminine"
in 2011, the latter of which was documented by NHK Television in Japan. Her
international exhibition participations include DisPlace at the Korean Culture
Centre in India and various performance art festivals across Asia.
Her remarkable contributions to the art world have garnered
her several accolades, including an Honorable Mention at the 17th Young Artists
Exhibition and a Best Award for Sculpture from the Department of Fine Arts at
the University of Chittagong. Fluent in Bengali, Hindi, and English—demonstrated
by her strong IELTS scores—Afsana is not just an exceptional educator and
artist but also a bridge between cultures.
Currently residing in Dhaka, Afsana continues to inspire the
next generation of artists while actively immersing herself in the vibrant art
scene of Bangladesh.
Teaching/Research Specialization
Afsana Sharmin is truly an outstanding educator in Art and
Design. Her passion for teaching and her dedication to her own professional
growth enrich the learning experiences of her students in so many ways. She
actively weaves together history, culture, and modern practices in her lessons,
which not only makes the material more engaging but also helps her students
connect with the world around them. Afsana is not just a teacher; she’s a
mentor who inspires and guides future generations of artists and designers,
making a meaningful impact in the educational community.