Bibi Russell

Bibi Russell’s work is in the forefront of extraordinary creative developmental initiatives being taken in Bangladesh in recent times. Bibi went to the UK to learn designing in the seventies. But her love of for the country brought her back to Bangladesh. Upon her return, she applied her knowledge and talents to contribute to development of the country and in so doing she has been radiating outstanding example and inspiration in development vision and strategy not only for this country but for the entire south- in Asia, Latin America and Africa – to those who are seeking paths of national development holding the hands of the modern world but rooted firmly in the respective indigenous traditions and cultures. In Bibi’s work we find a starting union of very modern western culture and the culture and creativity of very ordinary village producers in Bangladesh. Bibi Russell has united her talent with the struggle for development of a very poor producers class of the country and has thereby given a new kind of role and fulfilment to model and designing art and for that matter to the cultivation of beauty, which is novel as well as a path-tracer in meeting the challenge of our time. In particular the calling that Bibi has embraced to apply her own modern training and extraordinary artistic talent in the restoration of the lost historical glory of our weavers and crafts people, helping them in advancing their economic life and creativity deserves tribute from all patriots of the country.

Bibi has wanted to show a “Positive Bangladesh” to the world, a desire that she has been expressing while presenting her work in different international forums. Bibi has proved that “Positive Bangladesh” exists and can be shown. This offers very big hope amidst the degeneration today of values all around. I hope that we shall derive from Bibi’s work the inspiration for working to show this Bangladesh on a wider canvas. Bibi in her own words…. “When people see my collections, I want them to understand and appreciate all the work and effort that has gone into them. I want to preserve the heritage of my country, foster creativity, provide employment, empower women and contribute towards the eradication of poverty. That’s what I’m committed to do.”