A three-day art exhibition titled “Light from the Inner Soul” is being held at Cumilla Shilpakala Auditorium in Bangladesh, showcasing paintings and handcrafted works by eight women with no formal art training. Organized by Jannatul Ferdous Twonni, the exhibition features a range of media including calligraphy, metal art, wax art, glass painting, canvas works, and AI-inspired pieces, with participants ranging from a 16-year-old to a 90-year-old woman.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the hidden artistic talents of women who lack institutional art education but create meaningful work within their families and communities. By providing a platform for these voices, the event challenges traditional notions of who can be an artist and underscores women's contributions to cultural and aesthetic enrichment in society, as noted by local artist Junaid Mustafa and journalist Mahabub Alam Babu.