Dina Zaman: A humane contemporary artist

Dina Zaman is a US-based artist, who recently conducted a workshop with emerging Bangladeshi artists and the underprivileged and socially ostracized children of Shishupolli. The Daily Star got in touch with the Bangladeshi-American interdisciplinary artist for an exclusive interview.

Please tell us about your art and the inspiration behind your artistic practices.

My art is an organic, unpredictable flow shaped by my experiences as a daughter, wife, mother, and woman. I transform public spaces into narratives of resilience and Bangladeshi heritage—one mural and one sisterhood at a time. Trained at the University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Fine Arts, my practice spans figurative painting, mixed media, and performance art. I merge traditional Bangladeshi techniques with contemporary concepts, often portraying women with muscular physiques to symbolize their internal strength. My public art is not merely decorative; it is declarative, asserting presence and history.
 

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Share journey of becoming an artist.

I grew up in the buzzing, densely populated streets of Dhaka. Moving to the relatively "empty" landscape of Indiana, USA, was a profound shift. For 20 years, the challenges of migration and adjustment silenced my creative pursuits. Eventually, my mind reached out to my soul to "bring back what once was mine." When paintbrushes initially felt foreign, I dipped my fingers directly into the pigment, letting my imagination flow onto the canvas. Since then, I have exhibited internationally and served as a cultural bridge-builder, with my work featured on PBS/WOSU and in various global media outlets.

Could you tell us about one favorite work amongst your own?

My most recent work on body-shaming is particularly special. It resonates with many women, including myself, who have been judged for being "too skinny" or "too chubby." These critiques ignore the natural cycles of aging, childbirth, and hormonal shifts. Through this piece, I assert that a person’s character remains constant regardless of their physical changes.

Could you tell us about your work in the US?

I have completed three large-scale public art projects funded by the City of Columbus, each blending Bangladeshi folk art with themes of womanhood. These installations make South Asian heritage visible in American spaces while honoring collective memory.

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In 2025, I joined the Board of Directors at Boardman Arts Park in Delaware, Ohio, where I have a permanent sculpture made from recycled tires. I also serve as a navigator, curator, and grant reviewer for the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC). Additionally, I co-founded Lumina Arts Space to uplift marginalized women and Bangladeshi artists. My work also extends to art therapy, where I help refugees and survivors of trauma in Columbus find healing through self-expression.

Please share your recent and upcoming artistic ventures.

Recently, my work was exhibited at the Rome International Art Fair at Medina Gallery and the Tobian Art Gallery in Florence. In Bangladesh, my paintings were showcased at Bhumi Gallery and Edge Gallery.

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