Freelance Artist
Date of birth: 6 May 1963
Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts
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Kanak Chanpa Chakma is a Bangladeshi Chakma artist who has won national and international awards, and is renowned for her paintings depicting the lives of Bangladeshi ethnic minorities, focusing on the lives of women, and their daily lives combining semi realistic and abstract in the same frame.
PRESENT POSITION
A Visual Artist and president, Ethnic Artist Foundation of Bangladesh.
Visiting Teacher, University of Development Alternative, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Board Member of The Museum of Americas, USA
Trustee of Sir John Wilson School, Dhaka
Member of the Olympic Fine Art Association
Executive Member of Nari Progoti Shango. Bangladesh
Founder Member of the Women Artist Association of Bangladesh ‘SHAKO’
Donor Member of The Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh
EDUCATION
1993 – 1994 : American Fellowship, Penn State University, PA, USA
1986 : Master of Fine Arts, Fine Art Faculty, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
1998 : Bachelor Fine Arts, Fine Art Faculty, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
1985 : Film Animation Workshop under G. Shamant, National Institute Of Mass Communication
Government of Bangladesh
1984: Printmaking workshop, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka.
1978 : Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Rangamati Government Girls High School. Chittagong
AWARDS
2014: National Film Award for Best Costume Design in ‘Jonakir Alo’ (Glow of the Fireflies)
2013: Bangladesh Buddhist Women’s Federation’s Honorary Award for Exceptional Artist
2012: Ajker NarI (Today’s Woman) Award, Canvas, Persona, Bangladesh
2010: Honorary Award for contribution to NARI (National Association for Resource Improvement)
Bachsas Award for Best Art Direction in Film ‘Gohine Shobdo’ (Dark Resonance)
2008: Olympic Fine Arts Gold Medal, Beijing, China
2007: Bangladesh Women’s Association’s (Mohila Porishod) Honorary Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fine Arts
2006: Best of The show, Museum of Americas, Florida, USA
2003: DIPLOMA Award from 2nd International Tashkent Biennale. Uzbekistan
Grand Award, Latin American Art Museum, Miami, Florida, USA
Best Personalities in Art, by Arabians Fashion Beyond Imagination, Dhaka
2002: Best Painting Award on 15th National Art Exhibition, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
2001: Best woman artist of the XXI Century, Florida, USA
1999: Honorable Mention Award, Silver Jubilee of Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
1994: Mid-American Arts Alliance Fellowship Award, USA
1993: Master Zainul Abedin Memorial Award, Cultural Reporter Association of Bangladesh
1994: “TOP TEN” Best woman Personalities in Bangladesh, ANONNA
Award
1992: 2nd Award on Modern Painting, International Miniature Art Contest, Florida, USA
1990: Chairman Award, CARDMA Art Competition, Dhaka
1977: Awarded for Painting, Shishu Academy, Bangladesh
1976: Awarded for Painting for World Health Day, UNICEF
1975: Awarded for WaterColor, National Children’s Competition, Bangladesh
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019: Solo Exhibition of Kanak Chanpa Chakma “The Traveller’s Song” by EDGE Gallery, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2017: Solo Exhibition of Kanak Chanpa Chakma “Colours of Festivity” by Artgrove,
Alliance Française de Melbourne, Australia
2014: Solo Exhibition “Life is Here”, Bengal Art Lounge, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2012: Solo Art Exhibition “Dreams-Sowing”, Gallery Chitrak, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2010: Solo Painting Exhibition “Journey to Peace”, National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
2009: Solo Painting Exhibition, Heng Artland Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2008: Solo Art Exhibition, Heng Artland Gallery, Singapore
Solo Art Exhibition, Heng Artland Gallery, Beijing, China
2005: Solo Art Exhibition “Enlightenment”, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Solo Exhibition, Chuwa Art Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
2002: Solo Exhibition and Auction, Dutch Club, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2001: 16th Solo Art Exhibition, Divine Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2000: Solo Exhibition of Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Shilpangan Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
1998: Solo Painting Exhibition by Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Gallery Tone, Bangladesh
Solo Painting Exhibition, Penn State, Delaware County Campus, USA
1995: Solo Painting Exhibition, Gallery Tone, Bangladesh
1994: Solo Painting Exhibition, Gallery Tone, Bangladesh
Solo Painting Exhibition, Penn State, Delaware County Campus, USA
1993: Solo Art Exhibition by Kanak Chanpa, Divine Arts, Hotel Sonargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
1989: Solo Painting Exhibition, Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
1987: Solo Painting Exhibition, Thimphu & Phuentsholing, Bhutan
Solo Painting Exhibition, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Bangladesh
1984 : 1st Solo Exhibition of Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Town Hall, Rangamati Hill District
FAMILY EXHIBITIONS
2015: Exhibition of Sarat Mala Chakma, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Shiropa Purna “3 Generations” Athena Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2011: Art, Film and Photography Exhibition “Colorful Yunnan” by Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Khalid Mahmood Mithu, Arjo Shrestho and Shiropa Purna
2010: Painting. Installation, Photography Exhibition and Film Show of Kanak Chanpa Chakma,
2002: Joint Exhibition by Kanak Chanpa Chakma & Khalid Mahmood Mithu, Siddharth Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal Khalid Mahmood Mithu, Arjo Shrestho, Shiropa Purna “Tree & Roots”, Dhaka Art Center
2001: Painting Exhibition in aid of the Liberation War Museum by Kanak Chanpa Chakma and Khalid Mahmood Mithu, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
1993: Painting Exhibition of Kanak and Mithu, Florida, USA
1992: Painting Exhibition by Kanak and Mithu, La Galerie, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Painting Exhibition of Kanak and Mithu, Washington D.C. USA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2017: Art in MAMF Multicultural, Changwon, Korea
Group Exhibition of Bangladeshi Women Artists Rogue Space, Chelsea, New York, USA
“Amity” Group Art Exhibition in Memory of Khalid Mahmood Mithu, Gallery 21, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2016: “Amity” Group Exhibition of Bangladeshi Artists, Embassy of Bangladesh, Bangkok, Thailand
Dhaka Art Summit, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Art Weekend hosted by the Ambassadors of Brazil, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the
High Commissioner of Canada, Dhaka, Bangladesh
International Women Artists Art Exhibition “Journey 7”, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, India
“Brave Heart – Art Against Terrorism”, Gallery Cosmos, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Life and Nature from Hills” (Prokriti o Jibon) 6th Art Exhibition by Hill Artists’ Group (Artists from Chittagong Hill Tracts),
Drik Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Wings of Hope – An Exhibition Celebrating Women’s Empowerment” in Commemoration of the Rana Plaza Tragedy –
Artworks Presented by Women Survivors, Bengal Art Lounge, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2015: 5th Tone International Miniature Art Biennale, Athena Gallery of Fine Arts & Gallery Chitrak, Dhaka, Bangladesh
50 Contemporary International Women Artists, Museum of the Americas, Florida, USA
2014: “Serenading Suchitra” Group Art Exhibition, Shilpangan Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
16th Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bangladesh – US “Art Conclave” With Contemporary Women Artists, Presented by Gallery 21 & The New York Art Connection,
The New York Art Connection, NY, USA
Dhaka Art Summit, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Celebrating Women” Art Exhibition on International Women’s Day by Shako Women Artist Association of Bangladesh,
Embassy of Denmark, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Song of the Land” – An exhibition of the works of artists from Bangladesh, Alliance Francaise de Melbourne – Melbourne,
Queen Street Gallery – Sydney and University of Canberra – Canberra, Australia
The 11th Uiwang International Placard Art Festival (UIPAF), Korea
“Life” Group Art Exhibition of Women Artists, Gallery Cosmos, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2013: Setouchi Triennale “The Quintessence of Bangladesh Paintings”,
Takamatsu Port Art Factories, Takamatsu City Museum of Art Entrance Hall,
Takamatsu City, Japan
Group Exhibition of 5 Bangladeshi Women Artists “Confusion, Abstraction, Figurative”,
“Colours Across the Bengal Delta”, Viet Nam Exhibition Center for Culture and Art, Hanoi, Vietnam
A Collection of Prominent Bangladeshi and Korean Artists – Jointly organized by Embassy of
The Republic of Korea, and Athena Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Art Exhibition, Gallery 21, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Love is in the Air” – A Group Exhibition Featuring 27 Artist Couples, Athena Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2012: The Excitement in Things Various, Bengal Art Lounge, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Homage to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by Eminent Artists from Bangladesh, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR),
New Delhi, India
Dhaka Art Summit, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
15th Beijing Art Expo, China World Trade Center, Beijing, China
“Studied Reflections” Exhibition, Radius Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Illuminating Spirit of Colors” Group Exhibition by Shako, Bay’s Galleria, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Standard Chartered “Diverse Strokes” Contemporary Art Exhibition of Artists from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan,
Utshab Ballroom, Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A Grand Group Art Exhibition of Reputed Bangladeshi Artists, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2011: Joint Celebration of Bangladesh and India – 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore,
National Art Gallery, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka
“Liberation War and Bangabandhu” (Muktijuddho o Bangabandhu) – A Group Art Show of
Contemporary Bangladeshi Artists, Gallery Jolrong, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Masters of Bangladesh Art, Radius Art Gallery, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A Group Art Exhibition, Gallery Chitrak, Dhaka, Bangladesh
The 8th Uiwang International Placard Art Festival (UIPAF}, Korea
2010: “Song of Our Motherland”, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“A Return to the Forest”, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Contemporary Colours and Images from Bangladesh”, National Art Gallery, Male, Maldives
“From Dhaka With Love” – Exhibition of Contemporary Art from Bangladesh,
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
“Rooted Creativity 3”, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Uiwang International Placard Art Festival (UIPAF}, Korea
“The Liberation War and Women” (Muktijuddho o Nari) Exhibition by Shako Women Artist Association of Bangladesh,
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka
2009: “Dhaka-Kolkata”, Presented by Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts and Art Trust, Kolkata, in Bengal
Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka
Contemporary Paintings of Bangladesh, Korea Foundation Cultural Center, Seoul, Korea
18th National Art Exhibition, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka
Contemporary Art Exhibition of Eminent Artists of Bangladesh, Bangladesh American Art Gallery, Pennsylvania, USA
UN World Food Programme (WFP) Painting Exhibition of Leading Artists of Bangladesh, Gallery Chitrak, Dhaka
Contemporary Artist 4, Zainul Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Nepal Rendezvous” by Shako Women Artist Association of Bangladesh, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal
Appointment 2009, Shilpangan Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Colours and Impressions”, The SAARC Women’s Association, Radisson Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh
International Women’s Day Exhibition by Shako, Gallery Chitrak, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2008: “Faces of Feminine Expressions from Bangladesh”, Akar Prakar Gallery, Kolkata, India
European Commission and Bangladesh Embassy “Contemporary Bangladesh – Art from a Vibrant Culture” Exhibition,
Berlaymont Building, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium
Asian Contemporary Art Fair New York, Pier 92, New York, USA
Bangladesh Contemporary Art Week New York, Turkish Cultural & Tourism Center, New York, USA
“Colours of Bangladesh” Bangladesh Painting Exhibition in Islamabad, PNCA National Art Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan
Uiwang International Placard Art Festival 2008 (UIPAF), Korea
2007: “Expressions of Shako” by Shako Women Artist Association of Bangladesh, Alliance Francaise, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Shades of Life” by Shako Women Artists Association of Bangladesh, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Liberation” Exhibition of Paintings by 30 Leading Artists, Liberation War Museum, Dhaka, Bangladesh
17th National Art Exhibition 2007, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“The Many Facets of Love” International Women’s Day’s International Exhibition, Hamail Art Galleries, Lahore, Pakistan
2007 CiaF Soul International Art Festival, Seoul, Korea
12th Art Mirai International Art Exhibition, The National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan
10th Anniversary Orient 2007 Art Carnival in ASEAN, Japan
2007 CiaF Yanbian Asia International Art Salon, Korea
2007 Corea International Art Expo, Korean Arts Creative Association, Korea
UN Mascara Ball 2007, Silent Art Auction – Hands Joined Together for the Victims of the SIDR Cyclone, Pan Pacific
Sonargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Colors from Hills” – Exhibition of Artists from Chittagong Hill Tracts, Alliance Francaise de Dacca, Dhaka, Bangladesh
20 Women Artists of Bangladesh – International Women’s Day Exhibition, American Club, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2006: “Harmony” – Contemporary Art of Bangladesh and Europe, La Gallery,
Alliance Francaise de Dacca, Dhaka, Bangladesh
11th Art Mirai International Art Exhibition, The Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo, Japan
International Women’s Day “The Other Voice” Exhibition, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts,
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Women In The Arts, Museum of the Americas, Florida, USA
Rembrandt 400 Exhibition – Celebrating the 400th birth anniversary of Dutch painter Rembrandt, SPBA (Society for
Promotion of Bangladesh Art), Dhaka, Bangladesh
“A Flavour of East Bengal” Exhibition, The Gascoigne Gallery, Harrogate, England
Asia International Salon, Korea Arts Creative Association, Korea
International Art Festival 2006, Yeosu, Korea
Korea International Art Expo, Korea Arts Creative Association, Korea
A Grand Group Art Exhibition of Reputed Bangladeshi Artists 2006, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Appointment 2006, Shilpangan Contemporary Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Britain – Bangladesh Art Exhibition, The British Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2005: 10th Art Mirai International Art Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Japan
MASF (Miniature Art Society of Florida, Inc) Thirtieth Annual Show, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Florida, USA
Bangladesh-Nepal Youth Art Workshop & Exhibition, Bangladesh National Museum Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Delivering Art” by Shako Women Artist Association of Bangladesh, DHL Worldwide Express, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Image in the Mirror” Exhibition by Shako, Residence of the American Ambassador, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Colours of Shako” by Shako Women Artist Association of Bangladesh, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Bridge of Friendship” Bangladesh-Japan Joint Art Exhibition, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Shaka, Bangladesh
“Art for Artists” Bangladesh Week in St. Gallen, Curling Center, St. Gallen, Switzerland
16th National Art Exhibition, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A Grand Group Art Exhibition of Reputed Bangladeshi Artists 2005, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Seoul International Art Exhibition, Korea Arts Creative Association, Seoul, Korea
31st AJAC Exhibition “New Art in Japan”, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan
Asian Art Now 2005, Las Vegas Art Museum, Las Vegas, USA
2004: JAALA – The 14th Japan Afro-Asian Latin-American Exchange Exhibition, Japan
5 Eminent Artists’ Exhibition, Haque Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A Grand Group Art Exhibition of Reputed Bangladeshi Artists 2004, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
30th AJAC Exhibition “New Art in Japan”, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan
International Women’s Day Group Art Exhibition by Shako, Gallery Chitrak, Dhaka, Bangladesh
International Color Image Exhibition, Busan City Hall Gallery, Busan, Korea
2003: “Peace Song” Women Artists Exhibition, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Female Artists’ Workshop & Exhibition, Organized by CRP (Center for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed) And Shako, CRP Mirpur Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A Grand Group Art Exhibition of Reputed Bangladeshi Artists 2003, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Breaking the Veils” Women Artists from the Islamic World, Porte d’Amboise, Midieval City, Rhodes and Benaki Museum,
Technopolis, Athens, Greece
2002: A Grand Group Art Exhibition of Reputed Bangladeshi Artists 2002, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
La Galerie Revival Exhibition, La Galerie, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Art South Asia – The first international programme of visual culture from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka,
Gallery Oldham, Manchester, UK
“Shikor o Phool” (Roots and Blossom) AsiaSouthAsia Exhibition, The British Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh
15th National Exhibition, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
“Roop Labonnyae Bangladesh” Exhibition, Gallery Chitrak, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contemporary Art of Bangladesh – Trends 3 & 4, Art Gallery of High Commission of India Cultural Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contemporary Paintings of Bangladesh, Oslo, Norway
2nd Silent of Paintings/Art by Prominent Artists of Bangladesh for the Hospital Endowment Fund, ICDDR,B Rooftop Pavilion,
Dhaka, Bangladesh
2001: Women of the XXI Century, Latin American Art Museum, Miami, Florida, USA
Silent Auction of Paintings/Art by Eminent artists of Bangladesh for ICDDR,B Hospital Endowment Fund, ICDDR,B Rooftop
Pavilion, Dhaka, Bangladesh
1st Contemporary Artists Exhibition from Bangladesh 2001, Sudo Art Museum, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
2000: Contemporary Art Exhibition of Bangladesh, Beijing, China
“They” 52 Artist Couples Art Exhibition, Arial Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A Grand Group Art Exhibition of Reputed Bangladeshi & Foreign Artists 2000, Saju Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Thirteen Artists Show 2000, Tivoli Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Art Exhibition of Renowned and Upcoming Women Artists of Bangladesh, Residence of the Netherlands Ambassador, Dhaka
14th National Art Exhibition, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A Tribute to Begum Rokeya – Works of Selected Women Artists, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Third Anniversary Exhibition – Artists of a New Millennium, Gallery 21, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2nd World Miniature Art Exhibition, Hobart Town Hall, Tasmania, Australia
Jamal Ahmed