Girls Do Comics Exhibition: Breaking the glass ceiling, one panel at a time

Better late than never, I thought, as I found myself surrounded by the work of women artists at a comics exhibition on Monday. 

Growing up, I devoured comics like 'Chacha Chowdhury,' 'Pinky,' 'Babu,' and 'Archies.' I've long followed international cartoonists on social media. So, you can imagine the sprint in my step at the 'Girls Do Comics' exhibition featuring the work of 27 talented Bangladeshi women.

Focusing on female comic artists and their work, this exhibition is a result of a project which began in 2018. Rashad Imam Tanmoy, founder of Cartoon People (a comics publishing house), noticed a glaring gap in the comics industry then: barely any female voices. 

Tanmoy started seeking submissions and initially only received responses from eight women, each offering fresh perspectives that challenged the usual expectation of comics solely about superheroes or humorous, silly characters.

As the years went by, the project gained momentum. And in 2024, when the story submissions poured in much larger volumes, it eventually birthed the two anthologies 'Porichoy' and 'Lines and Dreams'  — centred on untold stories of women in Bangladesh expressed through their art.

Each anthology displayed over 200 pages of comic strips addressing themes like identity, mental health, beauty standards, family dynamics and our relationship with nature. 

Each comic strip seemed like a glimpse into the artists' minds.

The works of Nusrat Laxme, an architect undergraduate student at Ahsanullah University and the creator of 'Pages Within' is a deeply personal exploration of existential crisis and societal constraints. 

"It's about a girl observing her surroundings, her thoughts on this chaotic world, and how she feels out of place in these norms set up in a way that benefits certain groups of people. It also reflects what I've experienced as a woman in a male-dominated society and what I see other women going through," Laxme explained.

Laxme also acknowledged the initiative's focus on women as necessary and powerful: "In the context of Bangladesh, this is a great step forward."

"The identity I wanted to represent is my own story—what I faced growing up with a unique name that stood out in a predominantly Muslim society," said Chandrika Nurani Irabotee, a Master's student in archaeology at Jahangirnagar University and a freelance illustrator, brought her personal experiences to life in her comic 'Naam.' 

Irabotee's work reflects the challenges of feeling different and the universal resonance of those moments of alienation. "Growing up I was asked why my name was so different if I am a Muslim. As a child, I did not know how to respond to that," she shared.

However, 'Girls Do Comics' gave Irabotee a space to share the story of what shaped her identity, as it did for others. It also allowed her to work with many talented artists like her.

"My comic loosely draws inspiration from my life and my friendship with my best friend, Kumkum," said Tahera Tabassum Labonnyo, an artist and illustrator. The project was a chance to combine storytelling with her art in 'Between Lines and Dreams.'

The story revolves around two characters finding their way through adulthood, balancing responsibilities and reigniting their creative passions. 

"It's a heartfelt exploration of friendship and staying true to oneself," Labonnyo shared. 

Although she doesn't consider herself a writer, she embraced the challenge, learning a great deal through the process. "I loved being able to tell a story through my art and meeting incredible artists who became friends along the way," Labonnyo added.

Photo: Courtesy

One of the first comics that stood out to me was 'Rong.' It captures a vivid memory shared by many dark-skinned girls in South Asian culture—the moment you think about wearing crimson red or a lighter shade, only to hear, "That colour won't suit you." A reminder of how even colours can be used in judgment.

Zarin Tasnim Rodoshi, an architecture major at CUET and the creator of 'Rong,' tackled a theme she feels is often overlooked but deeply ingrained in society: the obsession with skin complexion. "It's one of the most controversial yet typical norms in families," she said. 

"Even if it's expressed through innuendos, the impact is always felt by the person targeted," she concluded. 

This colourful exhibition is a must-visit for comic readers, offering a wide range of stories to search through. Many of these tales will feel deeply relatable, making female readers think, "That's exactly what I've experienced too."

Cartoon People has organised the exhibition and is supported by the EMK Center and Adhunika Foundation. The exhibition is open for all at the EMK Center in Gulshan till 8 pm on 30 January.