Nazia Rushdi
Contemporary Conceptual Artist | Kolkata, India
Exploring the relationship between humans and nature through mixed media, material, and quiet reflection.
My practice moves between concept and experience. Through painting, I explore ideas rooted in the human mind, nature, and emotional states, while at times my works simply hold memories—of travelling through different places or of being fully present in a quiet moment. Alongside painting, I create crafts and objects using eco-friendly and scrap materials, allowing material itself to guide the form and meaning. I also write and illustrate small stories inspired by everyday life and positivity. Across these practices, I am interested in stillness, reflection, and the gentle connections between place, memory, material, emotion and nature.
Practice & Medium
Painting
Concept-driven mixed media works
Illustrated Stories
Hand-drawn watercolor narratives on life and positivity
Material Experiments
Crafts, objects, waste-material works, installations
Background
I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Art from Rabindra Bharati University (2015). After completing my studies, I spent nearly eight years working as a visual designer while continuing to practice my art. In 2024, I worked as a visiting faculty at the National Institute of Design, Jorhat (NIDJ), where I designed and taught an experimental course focused on transforming waste materials into artistic creations. This experience strengthened my interest in sustainability, material-led thinking, and teaching through hands-on exploration. I am now fully dedicated to my art practice, creating experimental and personal works.
Exhibitions & Events
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Raqs Media Collective presents “As Tranquil as Can Be” at the Serendipity Arts Festival in 2025, Panjim, Goa
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“Fiesta” art event of Sublime Gallery in 2023, 2024, Bangalore
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Artverse presents “Resonance” visual art exhibition at ICCR in 2024, Kolkata
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AMI Arts Festival an initiative of Kolkata Center for Creativity in 2022, 2021
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Academy Of Fine Arts in 2022 (“Nandanik” Group Exhibition), Kolkata
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Raja Ravi Varma International Award online exhibition of Lalit Kala Kendra, Assam in 2022 (Received the Bronze Award)
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Visionay Projects’ online exhibition ‘Disrupting the Stillness’ in collaboration with Lohme Art Gallery in 2020
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Birla Academy of Art and Culture 53rd Annual exhibition in 2020, Kolkata
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Birla Academy of Art and Culture in 2019 (Group exhibition), Kolkata
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Rabindra Bharati University Annual Exhibition at ICCR in 2015 (Award Certificate of Merit), Kolkata
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Rabindra Bharati University Annual Exhibition at Emamy in 2014 (Award Certificate of Merit), Kolkata
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Rabindra Bharati University Annual Exhibition at Town hall in 2012 (Award Certificate of Merit), Kolkata
“I believe art has no limits—only spaces to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what often remains unseen.”
— Nazia