Marufa A. Chowdhury also known as Tayra is a Bangladeshi ceramic artist and designer who blends traditional craft with modern design. She has worked at Aarong for over fifteen years, where she values the support for handmade, sustainable art. Marufa studied at Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, India, earning both BFA and MFA degrees. She also trained in Rajasthani blue pottery in Jaipur under master artist Sri Kripal Singh Shekhawat. With over 24 years of experience, she has taken part in many art camps, workshops, and exhibitions in Bangladesh and abroad. Her work has been shown at events like the Asian Art Biennial and exhibitions supported by Imago Mundi and the Swiss Embassy. Marufa’s ceramics reflect themes of heritage, identity, and sustainability. She works with terracotta, enamel, and blue pottery, always focusing on preserving tradition while staying creative and contemporary.
About Me
Artistic Journey
2025: "Santal Gaon" Terracotta Mural installed at Aarong Dhanmondi Flagship Dhaka.
2019: Santal Terracotta Stoneware Mural installed at BIFFL, Dhaka
2010: Participated in Bengal Art Camp 2010, organized by Bengal Foundation, Dhaka Bangladesh.
2010: Participated in 14th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh
2007: Participated in 17th National Art Exhibition, organized by Bangladesh Shilpakala
2006: Working in Andretta Pottery (Studio of Famous Potter Mansiram Singh)in Andretta, Himachal Pradesh, India.
2005: Enamel on metal workshop in mural dept at Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati,Santiniketan,India.
2004: Inter faculty exchange art exhibition India.
Experience
Design, Aarong Center
Conducting workshops to share pottery techniques and inspire creativity in others.
Senior Designer
4 week 'Blue Pottery' residency programme under Sri Kripal Sing Shekhawat in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India in 2006.
2003-2004: Group show ‘SIBIR’at Nandan Art Gallary, Kala Bhavana ,Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, India.
2003:Kalakshetra exhibition organized by the ROTARY CLUB OF Guwahati, Assam.(International “RYLA” Camp), India.
2003: Sixty Eight annual All India Fine Arts Exhibition of the Academy of Fine Arts,Kolkata, India.
2002: Nandanik art camp in Kolkata, India.
2002-2003: Camlin Art Workshop at Kala Bhavana, Vvisva Bharati, Santiniketan, India
2002: Dokra camp in sculpture dept at Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, India.
1998: Art exhibition by foreign students of Kala Bhavana at Rabindra Bhavana Gallery, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, India. On the occasion of International Students Day.
2002-2006: Awarded with Visva Bharati Merit Scholarship,Santiniketan, India.
2001-2005: Awarded from Bishal Foundation, wings of Bengal Foundation, Dhaka.Bangladesh
Award
Residency
Workshop
1997: Awarded for Pencil Sketch from Bulbul Lalit K ala Academy, Wiseghat, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2012-Present