Artist pays tribute to St Albans teachers in homecoming show

An artist who has exhibited around the world has paid tribute to her teachers at her homecoming exhibition.

Rana Begum, 46, grew up in St Albans, where the city gallery is hosting a show of her large-scale work.

She said it was “really wonderful” to meet the primary school teacher who introduced her to drawing at a private view ahead of the show’s opening.

Ms Begum said: “I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for all my teachers who have supported this journey.”

The artist’s family arrived in England in 1985 when she was eight and moved to the Hertfordshire city.

She attended Spencer School, now Bernards Heath Junior School, but unable to speak English, she said she did not understand what was going on and fell asleep.

Ms Begum said: “On my second day, the teacher Alison Dunn – now Mrs Smith – said, ‘you can’t sleep all day, here are some colouring pencils and paper’.

“I didn’t know I could draw or paint and I remember drawing things from memory of growing up in Bangladesh and my family.”

Most of her artwork went up on the classroom wall.

“It was amazing, it felt a way of communicating with my peers and teachers,” she said.

Support for her art continued at St Albans School for Girls, whose pupils also attended the exhibition’s private view on Thursday.

Ms Begum, who has exhibited in many countries including United Arab Emirates, India, Germany and South Korea, also highlighted the support of her secondary school art teachers, Mrs Morley and Mrs Insley.

“I remember my art teacher and headmistress [Mrs Booth] coming home to convince my parents to let me go on and do my A-levels and to do an art foundation at Hertfordshire University,” she said.

The foundation course opened her eyes to the diversity of artistic disciplines.

When her father “realised how much I loved it, he was so supportive”, even hiring a man with a van to take her art work to her degree interview.

Ms Begum is now renowned for her artworks which span sculpture, painting and architecture and include geometric patterns from traditional Islamic art and architecture.

She said: “I’m a great believer in education and I feel incredibly lucky to have my education here.

“This [solo exhibition] has significant meaning as, after many years of long-haul destinations, my family and friends from my home city can now come and see my work.”

Rana Begum: Ordered Form is at St Albans Museum + Gallery until 14 April.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 183