Novera Ahmed: The Pioneer of South Asian Modern Sculpture

• The Bangladesh National Museum is hosting a special exhibition of sculptor Novera Ahmed through July 21, 2026.
• A pioneer of modern South Asian sculpture, Ahmed faced long-term institutional neglect and erasure in her home country.
• Her work is noted for its abstraction, focus on the female form, and pacifist protest against war.

Historical Context and Erasure

• Ahmed co-designed the historic Central Shaheed Minar, yet systemic bias led to her being excluded from state recognition for decades.
• She left Bangladesh in the 1960s to live in self-imposed exile in France, where she remained until her death in 2015.
• For years, it was widely assumed she had passed away, until her survival was confirmed in 1998.

Artistic Vision and Activism

• Her training included time in London and work under Italian sculptor Venturino Venturi.
• Her 1960 solo exhibition in Dhaka was a watershed moment for conservative society, earning her the National Prize in 1961.
• In 1970, she created 11 sculptures using scrap aluminum from crashed US military aircraft to protest the Vietnam War, transforming instruments of destruction into symbols of peace.

Legacy and Recognition

• Though marginalized during her life, the Bangladeshi government eventually recognized her contributions, awarding her the 'Ekushey Padak' (1999) and the 'Independence Award' (2019) posthumously.
• The current exhibition, organized with the Durjoy Foundation Bangladesh, features stone, wood, and bronze works, alongside personal photos and documentary material.