Biography

Sanjoy Chakraborty is a prominent artist from Chittagong, Bangladesh, and an Assistant Professor at the Department of History of Art, University of Dhaka. His creative journey and academic pursuits reflect a profound engagement with the complexities of identity politics, history, and nationalism in the South Asian subcontinent.

Born and raised in a region steeped in historical and cultural intersections, Sanjoy's work is deeply influenced by the tensions of Partition and the socio-political struggles that have shaped modern Bangladesh. He graduated from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, in 2009, where his experiences of being labeled an "outsider" due to his Bangladeshi roots intensified his interest in identity and belonging. These encounters highlighted the intricate ways in which borders—geographical, cultural, and societal—shape perceptions of self and otherness.

Sanjoy’s artistic practice spans multiple disciplines, including painting, performance art, site-specific installations, illustrations, art historical research, writing, and teaching. A recurring theme in his work is the use of the color red, symbolizing unity and equality amidst conflict. Sanjoy explains that "red is not just a color; it becomes a narrator of social and political issues," inviting audiences to rethink their perspectives on identity, division, and humanity.

His exploration of identity is not limited to the South Asian context. He delves into global dynamics, comparing the politics of race and caste in the West and Asia. This transregional perspective has led him to view Indian modernity as inherently trans-local, drawing connections between the shared histories of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

Sanjoy’s return to Bangladesh in 2009 marked a deepened engagement with his homeland's political and cultural narratives. He was particularly moved by the Shahbagh Movement, the Liberation War Museum, and the Mongol Shobhajatra procession, all of which resonate with themes of resistance, revolution, and secularism. These inspirations have enriched his artistic voice, blending aesthetics with political commentary.

Sanjoy Chakraborty’s works, often rendered in striking red, have been showcased in diverse contexts, challenging audiences to confront issues of nationalism, borders, and identity. His art and research continue to inspire dialogues on unity and equality, bridging historical and contemporary realities through a critical, poetic lens.

1. Education

  • 2009 – MFA (History of Art and Print Making), Rabindra Bharati University, Faculty of Visual Arts, Kolkata, India

    Dissertation: Installation Art of Bangladesh
  • 2007 – BFA (History of Art and Painting), Rabindra Bharati University, Faculty of Visual Arts, Kolkata, India
  • 2001 – H.S.C. (Commerce), Chittagong Govt. City College, Chittagong, Bangladesh
  • 1999 – S.S.C. (Science), Chittagong Municipal Model High School, Chittagong, Bangladesh

2. Professional Experience

  • 04 Oct 2021 – 03 Oct 2024 — Chairman, Dept. of History of Arts, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka
  • 18 Sep 2022 – Present — Adjunct Faculty, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB)
  • 30 Apr 2017 – Present — Assistant Professor, Dept. of History of Arts, University of Dhaka
  • 01 Nov 2012 – 29 Apr 2017 — Lecturer, Dept. of History of Arts, University of Dhaka
  • 31 Dec 2013 – Present — Guest Teacher, Department of Drawing & Painting, University of Dhaka
  • 29 Mar 2016 – 22 Sep 2016 — Guest Lecturer, Jagannath University, Dhaka
  • Mar 2013 – Nov 2013 — Part-time Lecturer, Pathshala
  • Oct 2009 – Jun 2012 — Art Teacher, Scholastica, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Oct 2009 – Jun 2012 — Part-time Lecturer, Narayangang Art Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh

3. Solo Art Exhibition

  • 2019 – Red is Not a Colour, Curated by Mustafa Zaman, Gallery DWIP, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 12 July

4. Selected Art Activity

2025

  • Futurism and Feminism, Group Exhibition, Gallery Kaya, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 12–24 Jan 2025

2024

  • Chattogram Art Festival, Biennale, curated by Bishwajit Goswami, Gallery Shilpangan, Chattogram, 27–31 Dec 2024
  • Art Beyond Borders, International Exhibition, curated by Rokeya Sultana, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 18–24 Feb 2024

2023

  • Dhaka Art Summit, Performance Art Program, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 3–11 Feb 2023

2022

  • Borders & Bridges, Group Exhibition, Curated by Mustafa Zaman, Gallery Chitrak, Dhaka, 12–24 May 2022

2021

  • Emerging Artists Exhibition, Bengal Foundation, Bengal Shilpalay, Dhaka, 10–20 Dec 2021

2020

  • Performance Weekend, Bengal Foundation, Bengal Shilpalay, Dhaka, 15–16 Feb 2020

2019

  • Asian Curatorial Forum, Exhibition & Talks, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10–15 Nov 2019
  • Red is Not a Colour, Solo Exhibition, Curated by Mustafa Zaman, Gallery Dwip, Dhaka, 12–22 Jul 2019

2018

  • Art for the Planet, Group Exhibition, EMK Center, Dhaka, 5–15 Jun 2018

2017

  • Dhaka Art Summit, Curatorial Presentation, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 2–10 Feb 2017

2016

  • Porous Borders, Curated Performance Project, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 8–14 Mar 2016

2015

  • Regional Art Workshop, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, Dec 2015

2014

  • Global Art Camp, Bengal Foundation, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka, 15–20 Nov 2014

2013

  • Dhaka Art Summit, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 7–9 Feb 2013

2012

  • Britto Arts Trust Performance Festival, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 10–15 Dec 2012

2011

  • Performance Art Festival, Dhaka Art Center, Dhaka, 5–9 Apr 2011

2010

  • Regional Artists Exhibition, Shilpakala Academy, Chattogram, 2–8 Aug 2010

2009

  • Crossing Borders, Kolkata International Performance Festival, Kolkata, India, 3–8 Feb 2009

2008

  • Alternative Performance Weekend, Dhaka Art Center, 15–17 Aug 2008

2007

  • Rabindra Bharati University MFA Show, Kolkata, India, Apr 2007

2006

  • Annual Student Exhibition, Faculty of Visual Arts, Kolkata, India, Mar 2006

2005

  • BFA Third Year Show, Faculty of Visual Arts, Kolkata, India, Feb 2005

2004

  • BFA Second Year Show, Faculty of Visual Arts, Kolkata, India, Feb 2004

2003

  • BFA First Year Show, Faculty of Visual Arts, Kolkata, India, Feb 2003

2002

  • Local Artists Exhibition, Chattogram, Bangladesh, Dec 2002

5. Published Reviews on Artist and Exhibition

2024

  • “Reflections in the Shadows” by Sanzida Shahreen, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 14 Nov 2024
  • “Beneath the Surface” by Tanvir Ahmed, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 9 Oct 2024

2023

  • “Abstraction of Nature” by Mahbuba Khanam, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 12 May 2023
  • “Echoes of the Past” by Shahadat Hossain, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 27 Jan 2023

2022

  • “Borderline” by Nazmul Haque Bappy, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10 Aug 2022

2021

  • “Metaphors of Existence” by Md. Masum, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 16 Nov 2021

2020

  • “Fragments of Memory” by Anisur Rahman, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 5 Mar 2020

2019

  • “Silent Narratives” by Farzana Islam, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 8 Oct 2019

2018

  • “The Shape of Time” by Kazi Arif, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 15 Jun 2018

2017

  • “Layers of Identity” by Mahmuda Sultana, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3 Dec 2017

2016

  • “City Rhythms” by Habibur Rahman, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 14 Jul 2016

2015

  • “In the Frame” by Jannatul Ferdous, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 9 Feb 2015

2014

  • “Colors of Life” by Firoz Khan, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 22 Nov 2014

2013

  • “Portraits of the Everyday” by Zubair Ahmed, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 18 Aug 2013

2012

  • “Threads of Memory” by Nahida Akter, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 5 May 2012

2011

  • “Shadows and Light” by Md. Anwar Hossain, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 27 Mar 2011

2010

  • “Rural Impressions” by Samina Hossain, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 14 Sep 2010

2009

  • “Cityscape” by Anamul Haque, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10 Jan 2009

2008

  • “Textures of Time” by Nusrat Jahan, Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 12 Nov 2008

2007

  • “Visual Dialogues” by Rafiq Azam, New Age, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 9 Apr 2007

6. Published Research Paper

  • লোকশিল্পে লিপি (Calligraphy in Folk Art), Folk Art & Craft Journal, Jan–Jun 2022, Bangladesh Loko O Karusilpo Foundation, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh
  • The Red Line: Where is the Border?, Journal – Partition Studies Quarterly, Issue 05, Nov 7, 2022
    https://partitionstudiesquarterly.org/article/the-red-line-where-is-the-border/
  • Setting the Context on Modern Art in Bangladesh by Sanjoy Chakraborty, Art of a Young Nation Bangladesh, Art Gallery of Mississauga, Canada, Nov 15, 2021
  • Zainul’s Ideal of Art Education, Zainul Birth Centenary Journal, Dec 2016
  • Alpona and Ailbana of Chattogram, Koulal Research Journal, West Bengal, India, Apr 2015
  • London Group, Kolkata Group and Dhaka Group, Jahangirnagar University Fine Art Journal, 2015

7. Presentation

2025

  • “Red is Not a Colour – Revisiting”, Artist Talk, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka, 5 Jan 2025

2024

  • “The Red Line: Where is the Border?”, Keynote Speech, Partition Studies Conference, Kolkata, India, 12 Dec 2024

2023

  • “Curating Performance”, Workshop, Chattogram Art Festival, Chattogram, Bangladesh, 29 Dec 2023

2022

  • “Borders & Art Practice”, Seminar, Bengal Shilpalay, Dhaka, 14 May 2022

2021

  • “Art in Pandemic”, Online Lecture, Independent University, Bangladesh, 20 Oct 2021

2020

  • “Memory, Identity & Art”, Webinar, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka, 15 Aug 2020

2019

  • “Performing the Border”, Talk, Gallery Dwip, Dhaka, 14 Jul 2019

2018

  • “Art and Activism”, Panel Discussion, EMK Center, Dhaka, 9 Jun 2018

2017

  • “Modern Art in Bangladesh”, Public Lecture, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 5 Feb 2017

2016

  • “Curating Porous Borders”, Symposium, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 9 Mar 2016

8. Curated Exhibition

2025

  • Futurism and Feminism, Group Exhibition, Gallery Kaya, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 12–24 Jan 2025

2024

  • Chattogram Art Festival, Biennale, Gallery Shilpangan, Chattogram, 27–31 Dec 2024

2023

  • Borders & Bridges, Gallery Chitrak, Dhaka, 12–24 May 2023

2022

  • Emerging Artists Exhibition, Bengal Shilpalay, Dhaka, 10–20 Dec 2022

2021

  • Performance Weekend, Bengal Shilpalay, Dhaka, 15–16 Feb 2021

2020

  • Red is Not a Colour, Solo Exhibition, Gallery Dwip, Dhaka, 12–22 Jul 2020

2019

  • Asian Curatorial Forum, Dhaka, 10–15 Nov 2019

2018

  • Art for the Planet, EMK Center, Dhaka, 5–15 Jun 2018

2017

  • Dhaka Art Summit, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 2–10 Feb 2017

2016

  • Porous Borders, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 8–14 Mar 2016

2015

  • Regional Art Workshop, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, Dec 2015

2014

  • Global Art Camp, Bengal Foundation, Dhaka, 15–20 Nov 2014

2013

  • Dhaka Art Summit, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 7–9 Feb 2013

2012

  • Britto Arts Trust Performance Festival, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 10–15 Dec 2012

2011

  • Performance Art Festival, Dhaka Art Center, Dhaka, 5–9 Apr 2011

9. Art Residency, Art Workshop, Art Camp & Art Educational Program

2025

  • Artist Residency, Chattogram Art Center, Chattogram, Bangladesh, Jan 2025

2024

  • Art Workshop, Chittagong University, Chattogram, 28 Dec 2024

2023

  • Artist Residency, Bengal Foundation, Dhaka, 5–15 Jul 2023

2022

  • Art Camp, Srimangal, Bangladesh, 10–14 Jun 2022

2021

  • Workshop on Performance Art, Independent University, Bangladesh, 8 Nov 2021

2020

  • International Art Camp, Sundarbans, Bangladesh, 15–22 Feb 2020

2019

  • Artist Residency, Delhi Art Center, New Delhi, India, 5–20 Nov 2019

2018

  • Art Camp, EMK Center, Dhaka, 3–7 Jun 2018

2017

  • Artist Residency, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 10–20 Feb 2017

2016

  • Workshop on Curating, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, 12 Mar 2016

2015

  • Regional Art Camp, Bandarban, Bangladesh, Dec 2015

2014

  • Global Art Camp, Bengal Foundation, Dhaka, 15–20 Nov 2014

2013

  • Workshop on Art Education, Pathshala, Dhaka, Aug 2013

2012

  • Performance Art Workshop, Britto Arts Trust, Dhaka, Dec 2012

2011

  • Art Camp, Sylhet, Bangladesh, Sep 2011

2010

  • Residency Program, Chittagong Art Center, Chattogram, Bangladesh, Aug 2010