Arpana Caur

(b. 1954, Delhi)

Arpana Caur is a self-taught artist whose works provide deep insight into the conditions of women in modern India, addressing issues like life, death, violence, the environment, and women's rights. Her recurring use of clothing as a motif both reinforces and challenges traditional depictions of women. Caur's artistic style is heavily influenced by Pahari miniatures and Indian folk art traditions like Gond and Madhubani, while her inspiration is rooted in literature and spirituality. Mysticism frequently appears as a leitmotif, with references to Sufi saints, religious thought, and devotional poetry infusing her work with a spiritual dimension. Since 1974, Caur's works have been showcased in solo exhibitions across major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai, as well as internationally in London, Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, and Singapore, among others. A significant milestone was her retrospective at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore, marking 40 years of her artistic journey in collaboration with Svaraj Archive (2016).

Her works are part of prominent collections worldwide, including the National Gallery of Modern Art (Delhi, Mumbai, and Patna); the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles; the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco; the Peabody Essex Museum, Boston; and the Hiroshima Museum of Modern Art, Japan. She was commissioned by the Hiroshima Museum of Modern Art for a commemorative work (1995). She co-founded the Academy of Fine Arts and Literature with her mother, supporting the education of underprivileged girls through her work.

Caur lives and works in New Delhi.