Ankur Rana

New Delhi

Ankur Rana (b. 1981) is a distinguished artist from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He derives inspiration from his different experiences, particularly a creative endeavour that involved the redesigning of traditional Indian Pashmina shawls in collaboration with a textile firm. This exposure influenced his paintings, incorporating Indian traditional motifs and designs. His work brings life through dynamic motion, with colours rolling across the canvas in a rhythm, reflecting the intricate dance of the mind. His art captures the fluidity of thought and emotion through abstract expressionism, with vibrant compositions and organic shapes that pulse with life, blurring the lines between abstraction and the natural world. Rana’s artwork combines abstract swirls of neon hues that seem to glow with vitality. 

There is an irrepressible feeling of personal connection in his paintings, which appear as layered compositions where colour, form, and abstraction come together to deliver what feels like a truly sensitive story. As a painter, he draws inspiration from women, a timeless muse since the Indus Valley Civilization and celebrated in the Devi Upanishad, symbolising power and empowerment. His artworks combine psychedelic colours, abstract forms, and patterns with neon swirls and organic shapes that glow with vitality, creating an extraordinary experience. His compositions feature a colourful juxtaposition of contemporary visuals set against electric backdrops in a bright palette, with a liberal use of silver and metallic colours. His work inspires a thoughtful and emotional connection, crossing the boundaries between what is real and imagined.

Ankur Rana did a course in Art Appreciation from the National Museum of Art before completing his BFA in Painting from the College of Art, Delhi (2003), and further pursued a Master’s degree in the same field. Over time some of the notable solo exhibitions of his work include “Musing” at The Stainless Gallery in New Delhi (2019), organised by Zee TV, and “Soul Mates” at Visual Arts Gallery, New Delhi (2018). These exhibitions reflect his continuing exploration of contemporary art themes, bridging modernity with tradition. His artistic journey includes participation in prominent exhibitions like "India 2.0" by ICCR in Beijing, China (2024), and the Dubai World Art Fair in (2019), marking his global presence in the art world. Among the awards he has received are the Embassy of Cuba Award (2007) for his painting Motorcycle Diaries on Che Guevara, and the Guru Samman Award by Sanskar Bharti (2019).