“There is no line between fine art and illustration; there is no high or low art; there is only art, and it comes in many forms.” – James Gurney
Art in India is gaining new forms.It’s the beginning of a period of metamorphosis. At the helm of this change are many a talented artists determined to make their mark and to boldly go where no man has gone before. With social media taking art to a wider audience, artists are being imparted recognition resulting in a welcome shift in the popular art scene.
We wanted to explore the rising talent across India and so we have compiled a list of upcoming artists, starting from Bangalore. (This list is no particular order and may not be exhaustive.)
Danger Cat
Dangercat is the playground of Sonali Zohra’s creative reflections. Amidst Bangalore’s clutter, her illustrations are like a mid-summer breeze, fresh and unaffected. Driven by will and passion, Sonali is also a professional photographer. Her conviction of sticking to her imaginative self is clearly reproduced in her artwork. Discover more of her work here.
Shilo Shiv Suleman
Fearless is a growing collective of artists formed in response to the Delhi Gang Rape and India’s feminist wave with beautiful affirmations of Fearlessness and Courage. Since it’s inception, the collective has been successfully engaging the community in raising dialogue about gender violence and equality. The collective was conceived of and is managed by Shilo Shiv Suleman. Discover more of Shilo and The Fearless Collective here.
Matt Lee
Matt Lee is an artist, illustrator and educator from the UK who has lived and worked in Bangalore since 2007. He incorporates digital drawing, photography and video to explore the richness of the combination of British and Indian aesthetics. The Sandown series features animals from matchboxes transposed onto sceneries where they are immediately out of place. This duality of sense and non-sense is what Matt examines. Discover more of Matt Lee’s work here.
Kaveri Gopalakrishnan
Kaveri Gopalakrishnan is an illustrator,comic artist who graduated in Animation Film Design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Her illustrations reflect her own desire for exploration. She travels and pens down her deep love for adventure, that transcends time and space.Discover more of Kaveri’s work here.
Acid Toad
Acid Toad is an exploration of psychedelia manifest through the dark mind of its creator – Acid Toad a.k.a Gaurav Basu – an illustrator and designer from Bangalore, India. Vocalist at Inner Sanctum, an extreme metal band and one of the heavyweights in the Indian scene, Gaurav is turned on by all kinds of creative pursuits and is quite adept at giving laughter-inducing interviews. Discover more of Gaurav’s work here.
Gumani
Pia Meenakshi a.k.a Gumani, is a Bangalore-based illustrator and tattoo artist, who runs her own studio where her imagination runs free amidst waking dreams of wolves, skulls, plants, and other such delightful haunts of wanting to escape into the wild. One can’t help but notice the manifestation of these elements in her work. Discover more of Pia’s work here.
Rucha Dhayarkar
A sense of playfulness, a spoonful of delightful and a sprinkling of nostalgia. Rucha Dhayarkar’s hand-drawn art is a soulful reminder of the joys of everyday life. She reminds us why we and perhaps she herself too cannot let go of the little things that surround us. Discover more of Rucha’s work here.
The Painter of Oz
It’s hard not to like someone who loves dragons. Add to that a die hard love for Nick Drake, and you will understand, why Ojoswi Sur is an extremely affable and warm character. The ‘Painter of Oz‘ is influenced by music and literature, but takes on other subjects and does justice to his moniker. Discover more of Ojoswi’s work here.
Joanna Davala
Joanna Davala decided to pursue illustration as a career because in her own words she enjoyed it too damn much. Currently a student, she found her inspiration from her aunt who had the knack for creativity. Joanna focuses on the mellow and subtle, her artwork reflecting a gentleness that many seem to ignore.Discover more of Joanna’s work here.
Sheena Deviah
Sheena Deviah is primarily an illustrator who is also interested in typography and design. Humour and minimalism are her trademarks but that does not deter her from transforming her experiences, giving light to her unquenched desires.Discover more of Sheena’s work here.
Nupur Panemanglor
Through her illustrations, Nupur recreates tranquility. The solitude she portrays is never burdensome but a path to self-discovery. Though it may seem otherwise, there is no lack of emotion in her portrayals. It simmers beneath the surface, calm like the deep ocean. Discover more of Nupur’s work here.
Xi Lu
Xi Lu’s musings are an intriguing juxtaposition of cute and savage. A self- professed cat lover, Xi contributes to the welfare of animals by donating earnings to the Animal Aid Alliance.Discover more of Xi Lu’s work here.
Agni Janakiram
Agni Janakiram is an artist,educator, sculptor and the person behind Lemon Tree Studios. She finds inspiration for her illustrations from nature, imparting them with a resilience so easily overlooked by people.Discover more of Agni’s work here.
Malvika Tewari
Malvika’s artwork is a contemplative study of character, of the myriad emotions that affect us in our life, may be even in the span a single day. There is however a undertone of satisfaction, a feeling of contentment that engulfs the one who feels.Discover more of Malvika’s work here.
Surasti Puri
Surasti Puri, graphic designer and illustrator weaves a tale of contrasts. Her illustrations present a foreboding sense of loneliness and discontent even when surrounded by distractions that would be welcome otherwise. A quiet descent into utter chaos. Discover more of Surasti’s work here.
Bhavani S Kumar
Bhavani is an illustrator who specialised in 2d animation at Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology. She takes inspiration from comic books, cartoons and games and recreates artwork that constitutes merging pop art with minimalism. Besides digital illustration, Bhavani has dabbled in story telling, art direction, installation art and sculpting. Discover more of Bhavani’s work here.
A Bad Girl
The famous (or infamous) bad girl poster originally began as an assignment at Srishti School of Art,Design and Technology. Five students Roshan Shakeel, Sparsh Saxena, Jaiwant Pradhan, Stuti Kothari and Furqan Jawed, inspired by retro school infographics, created the Bad Girl as a satirical take on the gender stereotypes and inequality prevalent in the country.Discover more of A Bad Girl here.
Rohit Bhasi
Rohit in his own words daylights as communications designer at a obscenely huge corporation in Bangalore. He is however passionate about illustration, paintings and murals. His work is sprinkled with humour and satire along with warmth and reverence.Discover more of Rohit’s work here.
Prabha Mallaya
Prabha Mallaya is an illustrator, writer and comic book maker. Her artwork is an irresistible cocktail of humour and mystery. She has illustrated many a book covers including The Wildings and Beastly Tales from Here and There, to name a few. Besides book covers, Prabha has published graphic short stories in Mint, the Obliterary Journal Vol II, ForbesLife, and Brainwave magazine.Discover more of Prabha’s work here.
Alagu Chockalingam
Alagu Chockalingam is a graphic designer and illustrator, with special interests in branding and typography. When she’s not busy discovering new things about the world around her, she loves to bake, to eat, to read and to drink too much tea.Discover more of Alagu’s work here.
Arushi Sethi
Arushi Sethi has been publishing her works through her brand, ‘Feed Your Head’. She is from Gujarat and has lived in many parts of India. Currently pursuing my education in visual communication design, she also has one-third of a B.A in psychology. Other forms of art (life activities) that inspire her to illustrate are Batik, Carpentry and Cooking (terrible and still learning). Discover more of Arushi’s work here.
Vamsi Krishna
Vamsi Krishna is freestyle photographer and digital artist. Though his artwork is geometric and minimalistic, there is an unusually organic quality to it that mirrors the nature it draws inspiration from. Discover more of Vamsi’s work here.
Abhishek Choudhury
Abhishek’s artwork reveals a profound influence of cartoons and caricatures. He re-imagines popular faces and peppers them with humour to create thoroughly satisfying doppelgangers. Discover more of Abhishek’s work here.
Nicolai Nazareth
Nicolai is currently an animation student but with interests in illustration and digital art. He treads away from the traditional, drawing upon his diverse interests to paint a portrait that is as sociable as it is individualistic.Discover more of Nicolai’s work here.
Deepti Ramakrishnan
There is no room for melancholy in her expression. Deepti Ramakrishnan, a young illustrator depicts a happy place through patterns and pathways of her imagination. Her artwork appears as an exploration of the universe inside the mind, a thought process that doesn’t seem to have an end or a beginning. You cannot shut it off, you can just let it flow like a stream in the woods. Discover more of Deepti’s work here.
Megha Vishwanath
Megha’s thoughts escape into the moon lit sky which transforms them into a hypnotic dance. Her portraits betray mystery and adventure, of wandering into the unknown and discovering something new. Discover more of Megha’s work here.
Shikha Nambiar
Shikha’s rare sense of optimism is utterly encapsulating. There’s no better way to start a day. Reminiscent of graffiti art that adorns many walls in India, Shikha’s art is a glorious rebirth of that lost tradition.Discover more of Shikha’s work here.
Ullas Hydoor
Ullas Hydoor is an architect exploring the world through different mediums of art. With unbridled passion for graffiti, street art and public installations, Ullas has been slowly transforming Bangalore’s faceless walls into a narrative of the society that erects them. Discover more of Ullas’ work here.
Abhigna Bararia
Abhigna Bararia is an illustrator, typographer and graphic artist. Intricate, delicate and slightly bizarre, Abhigna’s illustrations are a look into nature’s soul, the stuff that binds it all together and holds true in the face of change.Discover more of Abhigna’s work here.
Neelima Prasanna Aryan
Neelima paints a picture of strength that traverses a convoluted maze of hopes and dreams but emerges victorious. There is a theme of survival that underscores all her artwork, that highlights the courage acquired through perseverance.Discover more of Neelima’s work here.
Rathee Ramani Iyer
Incessantly knocking upon the fine line between reality and fantasy, Rathee creates a world of distorted yet beautiful and mesmerizing harmony. She draws primarily upon what she experiences, what heighten her senses and surrenders to her free spirited imagination that transforms her thoughts into palpable truths.Discover more of Rathee’s work here.
Sadhvi Jawa
Sadhvi, a student at Shrishti School of Art, Design and Technology, has interests in illustration, textile and interaction design. Through her illustrations, Sadhvi wishes to create a safe haven for adults who have forgotten their inner child, a place where all wounds heal and one can cry, smile, ponder, feel joy, get angry, laugh and have one’s own moment. Discover more of Sadhvi’s work here.
Vinayak Varma
Vinayak Varma is a designer and visual artist based in Bangalore. His deep understanding of human emotion is evident from the amazing detail he puts into his work, which contains dashes of humour and satire. Discover more of Vinayak’s work here.
Akash Nandi
Akash brings together fragments of imagination to create a portrait of coherence. The puzzle of nature unsolved, Akash wanders into the recesses of his mind to find the answers which take form in his illustrations. Discover more of Akash’s work here.
Shweta Pai
Shweta Pai is a texile designer from Bangalore whose major influence is nature in it plural forms. With utmost regard for natures design, Shweta ensures that her work remains true to its inspiration.Discover more of Shweta’s work here.
Jayesh Joshi
Jayesh explores the different sides to desire and sexuality through his illustrations. The simplicity of his art echos a larger truth of nature, the un-necessarily deliberate complication of simple facts of human existence. Discover more of Jayesh’s work here.
Koyal Chengappa
Koyal Chengappa illustrates with passion, the tribulations that accompany humility. Given to assessment and re-assessment of the self, the humble brave vulnerability and introspection to emerge with the gift of self-discovery. Discover more of Koyal’s work here.
Satish Gangaiah
Satish Gangaiah is a UI/UX designer, Digital Artist, illustrator and concept artist from Bangalore. Satish’s art is a take on popular culture. From Sheldon Cooper to Mogambo, Satish breathes new life into characters we love. Discover more of Satish’s work here.
Nawang Bhutia
Nawang Bhutia captures a pervasive melancholy, the kind that can extinguish every little flame of happiness and joy. It is as much a part of us as the joy it so repels but sometimes its power os difficult to overcome. Discover more of Nawang’s work here.
Tanvee Nabar
Illustrator, Graphic Designer and Typographer, Tanvee Nabar creates a yearning for solace, a desire for intimacy through her artwork, inspired by nature, people and architecture. Discover more of Tanvee’s work here.
Swati Banerjee
Swati is graphic designer, illustrator and art director currently studying at Srishti School of Art,Design and Technology. Her illustrations are often rooted in raw emotion which is a recurring theme across all her work. Discover more of Swati’s work here.
Johanna Pinto
Johanna Pinto’s style ranges from Modern Art, Abstract Art and Conceptual Art. A graduate in Textile Design, Johanna incorporates textile design process into making her paintings. Her artwork seems ready to take a leap into fantasy, into a distant dreamland to lose itself in the wonder. Discover more of Johanna’s work here.
Ambady
Ambady turns the dull into something so special, you’ll keep coming back to it over and over. With an interest in figures of popular culture, Ambady delivers the pop to pop art. Discover more of Ambady’s work here.
Nishant D’Souza
The process of transformation is as beautiful as it is terrifying. Nishant D’Souza explores the pain and pleasures of transformation. He ponders the process through which the old is discarded and the new is welcomed. Discover more of Nishant’s work here.
Pallavi Agarwal
Pallavi Agarwal, graphic designer and student at Srishti School of Art Design &Technology is all for new experiences. As evident from her abstract portraits, she is an adventuress. Discover more of Pallavi’s work here.
Tanya Singh
Tanya’s illustrations are a mirror of her vision of the world. There are no fragments in her universe, diverse elements come together to complement each other and transform each other in their entirety. That’s what makes her portraits so intriguing, they transport us into a world we otherwise would not have had the chance to imagine. Discover more of Tanya’s work here.
Gitanjali Sukumar
Gitanjali works her magic to create an alternate universe where beauty takes the form of uninhibited kindness. The vivid colours are a glimpse into our own potential to exhibit this delicate and rainbow hued landscape. Discover more of Gitanjali’s work here.
Shubhangi Goel
Shubhangi Goel, is an illustrator, graphic designer and typographer from Bangalore. With a very diverse portfolio, covering branding, editorial designs and illustration projects, Shubhangi Goel is an up and coming artist to look out for. Discover more of Shubhangi’s work here.
Rhea Ahuja
Rhea Ahuja is the quintessential fan-girl besides being one of Bangalore’s upcoming artists. Her artworks are tributes to her favourites. Nirvana and Alt-J to name a few.Discover more of Rhea’s work here.
Varsha Chakkera
Varsha Chakkera uses irreverence to her advantage. Her artworks introduce a twist in the tale, rendering them a confluence of ideas and concepts. She portrays modernity without abandoning her traditional roots. Discover more of Varsha’s work here.
Aniruddh Dube
Aniruddh Dube, illustrator and digital artist from Bangalore, fabricates artwork that dwells in memories and nostalgia. It reminds us of the moments we hold so dear. Like the quite music that streams through nature undetected, the memories Aniruddh recreates gently takes hold with no intention to escape. Discover more of Aniruddh’s work here.
Tshirt Baba
Thoughtful, funny and satirical, Vishal Kumar a.k.a Tshirt Baba imparts knowledge to his disciples with his witty illustrations. Influenced by everything popular including, movies,T.V, music, comics etc, Tshirt Baba redefines humour. Discover more of Vishal’s work here.
Sara Joseph
Sara Joseph experiments with the abstract but remains rooted to tradition. She explores nature in a different light, open to new discoveries and interpretations but does abandon the beliefs that she holds close.In doing so she reveals the insight offered by curiosity. Discover more of Sara’s work here.
Harshvardhan Gantha
A visual communication designer, Harshvardhan’s interests lie mainly in brand identity design, typography and illustration. His take on Ryan Gosling is surely going to get people swooning. Discover more of Harshvardhan’s work here.
Abhimanyu Ghimiray
Abhimanyu Ghimiray is a Post Graduate from the National Institute of Design 2011 and a marketing graduate from Sukhdev College of Business Studies, 2008. His artwork is a product of his daily musings, representing the quirky sides to his personality. Discover more of Abhimanyu’s work here.
Ayan Nag
Science Fiction is a genre quite difficult to navigate but Ayan Nag creates a spectacular world in a parallel universe. A freelance artist who has been in the industry for 4 years, Ayan creates his concepts in the digital mediuam but is equally proficient in the traditional. Discover more of Ayan’s work here.
Maanvi Kapur
Maanvi Kapur, illustrator and graphic designer from Bangalore, captures the essence of everyday life through her portraits. It’s not monotonous but peaceful and patient. Maanvi charts the the journey of individuals who accept their life with grace despite of pain and conflict. Discover more of Maanvi’s work here.
Nithin Sadhu
Nithin Sadhu’s portraits are made entirely with brown duct tape. Quite a tedious process involved but the result is breathtaking. Sophia Loren would be proud. Discover more of Nithin’s work here.
Aparajitha Vaasudev
Aparajitha evokes the spiritual with her portraits. Drawing inspiration from mythology, Aparajitha presents an abstract rendering of deities to symbolize the many forms that they can take. Discover more of Aparajitha’s work here.
Vinayak Jayasree
Vinayak’s illustrations are like the breeze that swifts by while taking a stroll on a pleasant day at the beach. A self taught artist, Vinayak’s influences span from nature to mythology, culture and humour. Discover more of Vinayak’s work here.
Namitha Chegu
Namitha Chegu is a textile designer from Bangalore. Her prints often represent traditional practices yet are deeply modern. Discover more of Namitha’s work here.
Satya Krishna Prakash
Satya Krishna Prakash is an animator and graphic designer. His caricatures contain a healthy dose of sarcasm are downright hilarious. Discover more of Satya’s work here.
Vibhin
Vibhin plays the trickster, creating humorous illusions inspired by the inanimate. Often combining pop art and minimalism, he delivers rib-tickling laughter. Discover more of Vibhin’s work here.
Juhi Agarwal
A student of Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Juhi Agarwal’s ability to impart emotion to her illustrations is astounding. The serenity permeating the image imparts some grounding to the cacophony of colours. Discover more of Juhi’s work here.
George Thomas
George Thoma