The Art of Conversation 4 — Sahana Rahman

A series of free conversations exploring the work and practices of artists connected to East Auckland, held in their favourite local venue. The Art of Conversation 4 — Sahana Rahman The fourth conversation of the series features Sahana Rahman, a painter, textile and community artist of Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Tamil heritage based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Born and raised in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Sahana graduated with a BFA (Hons) from Massey University in 2022. Working across painting, embroidery and upcycled materials, her practice explores intuitive material exploration to express lived experience, healing and diasporic identity. Drawing from South Asian art traditions, particularly Bengali Kantha embroidery and its tradition of storytelling through stitching, Sahana brings these influences into her own practice to explore the complexities of navigating life as a brown queer person. In 2025, Sahana was awarded the Asian Arts Fund Visual Arts Residency, supported by Satellites, Te Tuhi and Foundation North. She explored the hard and soft nature of materials and the in-between spaces they create. In the same year, she also presented her solo exhibition Katha O Maatram: Stories of Belonging at Studio One Toi Tū. In 2022, Sahana created the ongoing Nokshi Kotha Workshop, a collective embroidery project inspired by Bengali Nokshi Kantha. More than 200 people across Aotearoa have contributed their stories to the growing embroidered mural, creating space for collective healing and joy. About The Art of Conversation The Art of Conversation is a series of free events highlighting artists who share connections to East Auckland. Each invited artist will talk about their work and practice in their favourite local café, bar, or restaurant. These informal conversations aim to move away from the traditional format of artist talks while also supporting local businesses. Attendance at the talks is free, but participants are encouraged to purchase a drink and/or something to eat upon arrival to support the chosen venue. Curated by Giulia Pianelli, the fourth iteration of The Art of Conversation will take place over five weekends throughout November 2026 and will feature an exciting line-up of artists: Carla Ruka, Salome Tanuvasa, Lina Castro, Sahana Rahman, and Gary $ilipa. This is a project funded by Arts Out East, supported by Te Tuhi and the Howick Local Board. About Giulia Pianelli Giulia is an art professional and curator committed to supporting socially and politically engaged practices. She sees her work as a way to amplify activist messages and foster cross-cultural exchange through contemporary art. Originally from Italy, Giulia is currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau, where she works as Marketing Lead at The Arts House Trust. She previously held positions at Te Tuhi and at other galleries and organisations across Aotearoa and Europe. She is also developing an independent curatorial practice, with recent projects including Le Vu and Rebekah Sohn: Lines We Carry, Franklin Arts Centre (2026) and noa hāmana: Haerenga, Studio One Toi Tū (2026). Giulia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts Management from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, a Master's degree in Global Marketing from the University of Milan, and a diploma in Australian Aboriginal Art History from Curtin University (Perth). She is incredibly excited to be curating the fourth edition of The Art of Conversation and to present such an amazing line-up of artists. Carla, Salome, Lina, Sahana, and Gary all come from different backgrounds and engage with distinct artistic practices, reflecting the vibrant diversity that makes the East Auckland community so unique.