View catalogue The Hague, Netherlands (1) flipbook.
E X H I B I T I O N C A T A L O G U E28 October 202628 October 2026Embassy ofBangladeshto the NetherlandsUniversiteit LeidenLeiden University College The HagueListening to theSundarbans Women, Mud, Memory and Survival in the Mangrove DeltaAn exhibition by Bangladeshi artist Shapla SinghaON THE ROAD TO UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE (COP31)
Women, Mud, Memory and Survival in the Mangrove Delta
Figure - 1,THE TIGER: KEEPER OF THE MANGROVE Where Our Footprints Meet Shapla Singha 2026 Hand embroidery and kantha-inspired stitching on a recycled cotton sari; retained embroidery hoop | Dimensions: Approximately 203.2 x 106.7 cm (80 x 42 in) Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.
Figure - 2,Fishing Instruments of the Sundarbans Shapla Singha 2026 Hand embroidery and kantha-inspired stitching on a recycled cotton sari, incorporating embroidered motifs of fishing tools and retained embroidery hoops. Dimensions: 203.2 × 106.7 cm (80 × 42 inches), width × height. (Proposed gallery display visualisation based on the embroidered artwork.)
Figure - 3Women Who Read the Tide/ “Circles of Tide, Circles of Survival” Shapla Singha 2026 Medium: Mixed media on circular panels mounted on handmade woven fans; Nepali paper, ink, pen, ashes, cloth Format: Seven circular panels Diameter: 10 inches each (Proposed gallery display visualisation based on the embroidered artwork.)
Figure - 4“Fate Written in Alluvium” Shapla Singha 2026 Medium: Sundarbans alluvial mud (poli mati), mixed media, collected sari fabric, traditional nose pin Surface: Circular support Diameter: 14- inche aprox. (Proposed gallery display visualisation based on the embroidered artwork.)
Figure - 5“Seven Rivers, One Body / Rivers Do Not Divide ” Shapla Singha 2026 Medium: Mixed media, red sand, sari fabric, natural pigments, aluminum etching on panel Conceptual Map: Baleswar, Passur, Kobadak (Kapotaksha), Sibsa, Raimangal, Hariabhanga, Arpangasia Dimensions: 243.84 cm X 50.8 cm (Proposed gallery display visualisation based on the embroidered artwork.)
Figure - 6THRESHOLD OF SURVIVAL The Door That Remembered the Cyclones | Shapla Singha 2026 Mixed media on canvas with Sundarbans mud, collected sticks and natural materials Triptych window panels | 121.92 x 60.96 cm (48 × 24 in) (Proposed gallery display visualisation based on the embroidered artwork.)
Video and audio:
Figure - 7ARTWORK DETAILS: Artist: Shapla Singha Title: Trace of the Guardian / Where the Tiger Still Walks Year: 2025–2026 Medium: Tiger paw imprint cast from Sundarbans alluvial soil; resin base with embedded organic materials—Sundari leaves and fruit, tiger fern, breathing roots (pneumatophores), tidal debris, and metal nose pin fragments Dimensions: approx. 10 × 10 inches base Form: Symbolic ecological installation Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.
Figure - 9ARTWORK DETAILS: Artist: Shapla Singha Title of Series: Breathing the Mangrove: Circular Memories from the Sundarbans Year: 2026 Medium: Mixed media on traditional handmade fan (woven leaf and cane), paper, ashes, sari fabric, natural pigments Size: 8-inch diameter (circular format) Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.
Figure - 9Title: Alamoti: A Tiger Widow Artist: Shapla Singha Year: 2026 Medium: Hand-stitched Nakshi Kantha on the collected sari of a tiger widow and the artist’s mother’s sari; painted textile; embroidery with wool and cotton thread; coconut shell buttons; wooden beads; sewing pins Form: Hanging textile installation with projection Dimensions: Approx. 3 meters (sari length) Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.
Figure -10Title: The Earth Remembers Her Artist: Shapla Singha Year: 2026 Medium: Sundarbans alluvial soil, locally collected mud, Sonamoni’s own cotton sari , paint, traditional nose pins on circular canvas. Form: Hanging textile installation with projection Dimensions: Diameter approximately 35.6 cm (14 in); final measurement pending. Interview location: Munshiganj, Satkhira, Bangladesh. Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.
Figure 11Title: The Earth Remembers Her — Dipali Artist: Shapla Singha Year: 2026 Medium: Mixed-media circular portrait: oil painting, Sundarbans alluvial soil, locally collected mud, cotton sari and traditional ornaments. Exact materials used in this individual portrait should be confirmed before publication Form: Hanging textile installation with projection Dimensions: Diameter approximately 35.6 cm (14 in); final measurement pending. Interview location: Munshiganj, Satkhira, Bangladesh. Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.
Figure 12Title: Shil Pata: Grinding Memory of the Sundarbans Grinding memory of the Sundddarbans Artist: Shapla Singha Year: 2026 Medium: Cement casting inspired by a traditional sandstone shil pata (grinding slab and roller Dimensions: 40.64 x 27.94 x 5.08 cm (16 x 11 x 2 in) Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.LEFT — sculptural relief and RIGHT — Original traditional grinding stone (documentary reference)
Figure 13Title:WIIEN TIIE IILART BURNS Stitched Proverbs and Women's Voices from the Sundarbans Artist: Shapla Singha Year: 2026 Medium: Hand-embroidered Bengali proverbs on jute cloth, inspired by Bengali asan and household wall-hanging needlework Dimensions: to be confirmed Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.
Figure 14Title: The Woman Who Still Sings A Fishwoman’s voice from Sundarbans Artist: Shapla Singha Year: 2026 Medium: Mixed-media circular portrait: oil painting, Sundarbans alluvial soil, locally collected mud, cotton sari and traditional ornaments. Exact materials used in this individual portrait should be confirmed before publication Form: Hanging textile installation with projection Dimensions: Diameter approximately 35.6 cm (14 in); final measurement pending. Interview location: Munshiganj, Satkhira, Bangladesh. Illustrative gallery visualisation based on original photographs.
“Monosha Mongal”
https://hague.mofa.gov.bd