Fariha Hossain

Oxfam Novib X Pathshala South Asian Media Institute X BredaPhoto

The exhibition ‘Take me tot he River’ is curated by Munem Wasif and takes us to the great rivers in the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM) river basins, which originate in the majestic Himalayas and flow into the vast Sea of Bengal. The stories of people living on the banks of these mighty rivers in Nepal and Bangladesh take centre stage. These communities are constantly learning from the river, harnessing its benefits but at the same time having to adapt to the profound effects of climate change.

Participating artists: Hadi Uddin / Fariha Hossain / Kishor Sharma / Amit Machamasi / Mohammad Ashraful Huda

Born and raised in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, Fariha Hossain has always been an inquisitive child, driven by a relentless pursuit of understanding the world around her. Growing up in a conservative South Asian household, she grappled with limitations and confined beliefs, yet her innate curiosity persisted. Currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in fine arts, Hossain has honed her artistic talents as a freelance illustrator for over five years. Writing is another form of her expression that she takes great interest in. Through her artwork, Fariha Hossain explores the diverse facets of her heritage, delving into its customs, traditions, and the nuanced characteristics of its people. For that reason, Hossain took part in Stories4Change. Hossain has chosen several photos from ‘Take me to the River’ as the basis to reveal the dreams and fears of the riverine communities in a traditional Bengal stitching style.