London-based multi-media artist Rana Begum was born in Bangladesh and relocated to England at the age of eight. Her work, which explores the interplay of light on colour, is inspired by the geometric patterns of both the Islamic art and architecture that shaped her early childhood and those found in British urban spaces.  

Citing Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, and both Josef and Anni Albers as inspiration, Begum’s work bridges painting, sculpture, architecture and design in a contemplation on the relationship between light, material, form, colour and space.  

Begum graduated with an MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art in 2002 and has exhibited at Tate St Ives (2018), Frieze Sculpture Park, London (2018) and the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington, DC (2018). A solo show of her work, Reflection on Colour and Form, recently closed at the Cristea Roberts Gallery, London.  

Begum was elected to the Royal Academy in 2020 and co-curated the architectural section of the Royal Academy’s 2022 Summer Exhibition with architect Níall McLaughlin. 

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