Puja Kshatriya

New Delhi

Puja Kshatriya (b. 1951) is an acclaimed artist whose journey began at a young age, with a passion that grew stronger over time. Having lived in diverse locations such as Oman, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, her experiences enriched her both as an individual and as an artist, adding fresh dimensions to her work. Drawing inspiration from Indian miniatures, textiles, handicrafts and architecture. Her exploration of colour and design, after years of working in monochromatic tones, has led to a distinctive body of work that is rooted in tradition

Her signature style is defined by placing characters and elements against the backdrop of textured surfaces, combining free-flowing shapes with geometrical forms. Kshatriya’s fluid abstract paintings and sculptures of birds, reminiscent of earthen toys, evoke a sense of nostalgia for the innocence of childhood. Over the years, her artistic evolution encompasses themes such as gender relationships. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, the artist explored the dynamic between man and woman, focusing on the female form. She shifted to the male form between 2004 and 2012, fascinated by the body's precision, and later transitioned to portraiture, weaving stories through each face to evoke connection and empathy. Kshatriya is also fascinated by the natural world, exploring the forms and hues of flora and fauna. Her artwork emits mysterious curiosities depicting a combination of multiple art forms to pursue beauty in colour and design using various fine art techniques like analogue collage-like patchwork, marbling, and painting, she introduced modern materials, such as acetate sheets, creating a new visual language that juxtaposes beauty with time.

Puja Kshatriya is a merit scholar from the College of Art, New Delhi. She has received several prestigious awards, including the “Chandigarh Art Museum Award” and “The Jury Award” at the Festival of Art, Dubai. Among her significant solo exhibitions are “Shrishti,” a sculptural installation showcased at the Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai (2018), and “The Enchanted Forest,” exhibited at Gallery Art & Soul, Mumbai (2017). Notable group shows include the Group Show by Simone Arora & Bina Aziz, Mumbai (2024), and the Times of India Initiative Group Show, held in New Delhi and Mumbai (2023-2024). Her paintings and sculptures are part of prominent collections at Delhi-based institutions such as Lalit Kala Akademi, Hudco Museum, College of Art Museum, and Sahitya Kala Parishad Museum. Additionally, her public art can be seen at the India Habitat Centre, and her works are included in numerous private collections both in India and overseas.