Reaching Great Heights

Visual Artist Nabila Basher
Talks to
Naziba Basher

Courtesy: Nabila Basher

I went to Bangladesh International School English Section, Riyadh and studied there up until A levels. I completed my A levels in Dhaka privately after moving here.

My favourite moments have to be the sports meets, because I used to win a lot (even though I'm fat!) and the practice sessions were the perfect excuse for bunking classes, legally, and my best friend, Bashira and I would just play for hours. Those were, undoubtedly, some of the best times of my life!

During my school year, my private tutor, Mr Brian inspired me a lot. He was my math teacher and he was a huge influence in my life. He not only taught me to be better at Math but also to believe in myself, that anything was achievable. I, ultimately, got a 100% in P1 (even though, by then, I had a different teacher, Mr David, who also had a huge impact in my life). Mr Brian was undoubtedly the most inspiring teacher I ever had, and thank God, he came into my life when I felt that maths was just not my thing! It was my nemesis, and when I actually did better than everybody else, it was then that I realised that I could do anything.

I went to MIA (Malaysian Institute of Art in Kuala Lumpur). My favourite university moments would have to be the photo excursions-- they were awesome! And also during fundamentals class-- we used to turn on the music in class and relax while getting the work done.

University was also a huge challenge. I lived all by myself. I took a subject that I had no clue about but knew none-the-less that I had to do this, and this was, in fact, what I was meant to do. Discovering it bit by bit, was tough and in the process, it made me tough. If I could go through that kind of pressure, everything else was peanuts!

I did not know what I wanted to be. Sometimes a pilot, sometimes a dentist, sometimes a mechanic (I was weird!) and finally a mathematician. Arts, unfortunately, was not a prominent subject in school. But I knew that I was good at it. I researched the combinations of mathematics and art, and how mathematics could help me somehow, other than architecture (which really does not appeal to me) I discovered a subject called graphic design and the more I looked into it, the more I knew that this is what I had to do.

Unfortunately, I did not get much support from my lecturers at university. None except for one believed in me-- the photography lecturer really loved my work, and asked me to not let others bring me down. On the other hand, my parents were extremely supportive of me. If it were not for them, I would not be where I am today. Every time, anything brought me down, they knew how to lift my spirits. My mom spent 1000's just on phone bills every month calling me all the way from Dhaka. If I said I was thankful to them, it would be an understatement.

I love what I do. Sometimes it takes a lot out of me, but creativity is what I do best, and it brings out the best in me. After all the hurdles, I am now a Senior Visulaiser in Grey Advertising Ltd. for 2 years now. Grey is like my family, and everyone is always so supportive! My career started off with Mattra however, where I worked for 2 years. I learnt a lot from there, literally! I even met my Fiancé there!

After all these years, whatever I have achieved my job at Mattra, my job and post at Grey and winning the Srijan Shomman award for Art Director of the Year 2012, only made me stronger and better at what I do. As for future plans, I hope to keep up the good work and someday win a Cannes award! One thing I want to say to aspiring artists is-- never lose hope and always love your parents. They are the ones who will always be there for you!