Upama Saha, originally from Bangladesh, is a West End-based artist and photographer whose curated exhibit is to be at Red Bowler on October 3rd, 2021. Saha grew up with an artistic family, with her earliest memories being of happily sketching oceans and palm trees.
“I come from a family of painters, as some of my cousins are painters,” Saha said. “Though I must say that being from Bangladesh I was never encouraged to make a career out of it because it is a creative field and in my country creative fields are seen as non-secure jobs.”
Growing up, Saha pursued other artistic avenues, both photography and writing and reciting poetry. At 20, she was inspired to begin painting again. Over the next three years, Saha grew frustrated at developing her skills. It wasn’t until she discovered abstract painting — something not artistically encouraged in Bangladesh — that she found her calling. Ten years on, Saha has added Acrylic Paint Pouring — where acrylic paint is poured onto a canvas — to her skills.
In reference to her photography, Saha said, “I was that kid who took photos with her two-megapixel phone, from every angle humanly possible. My dad had seen this and, at the age of 14, he gifted me my very first Canon compact smart camera.”
Saha never imagined that she would pursue it as a career, with a background in sales and marketing. “As I sit here and look through all the photos I have taken over the years — the weddings, concerts, portraits of families in cultural functions and performances — I have come to the conclusion that my aim has always been to capture a natural moment. Anything from a woman laughing carelessly to a couple gently holding hands. It is how I still believe in the good and positive in the world.”
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