Mustafa T Arshad

Mustafa T Arshad is a New York–based contemporary and multimedia visual artist whose practice spans visual art, photography, and design. Born in Bangladesh in 1957, he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Chittagong in 1982, followed by an Associate Degree in Commercial Arts from the Fashion Institute of Art and Design, Dallas, USA, in 1985.

A connoisseur of diverse art forms and visual languages, Arshad’s artistic approach is rooted in experimentation and avant-garde sensibilities. His work reflects a sustained engagement with contemporary global art practices, shaped by extensive travel across the United States, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. These cross-cultural experiences inform both his visual vocabulary and his conceptual concerns.

During his early career, Arshad actively participated in exhibitions in Bangladesh and abroad. His first solo exhibition was held at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1985. He later took part in notable group exhibitions, including shows at the Bronx Museum of the Arts in 1989 and Broom Street Gallery, SoHo, New York, in 1990.

Alongside his artistic practice, Mustafa T Arshad has worked for over three decades as a graphic designer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Atelier 69, a New York–based artist-in-residence studio dedicated to supporting emerging Bangladeshi and international artists. Through Atelier 69, he regularly organizes art-related programs, including exhibitions, artist reunions, peer discussions, and interdisciplinary performances—fostering dialogue, collaboration, and cultural exchange within the contemporary art community.