Reinventing after 30 years: Dr Harpreet (Neena) Mand’s journey from academia to art

After migrating to Australia from the UK in 2003, Dr Harpreet (Neena) Mand spent more than three decades building a career in architecture and academia across several countries. Now turning to art, she draws inspiration from the Indian literary concept of 'Dhvani' to create abstract works. In this conversation, she reflects on her journey — from navigating a male-dominated profession to inspiring younger generations to pursue their passions and carve their own paths.

After completing a PhD in architecture and spending nearly 10 years teaching, Dr Harpreet (Neena) Mand switched gears into art and held her first solo art exhibition in January, 2026. Credit: Dr Harpreet (Neena) Mand

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