Kanchan Chander

(b. 1957, New Delhi, India)

Kanchan Chander completed her formal training in Painting and Printmaking from the Weisensee Kunst Hochschule, Berlin (1975), and BFA from Delhi College of Art, New Delhi (1981), and was a guest student in the Printmaking department in Santiago, Chile (1981). She also completed a fellowship at École Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris (1985).

Chander’s practice continuously evolves, focusing on the female form, particularly the torso. She transitions from somber, sparse representations to vibrant, richly embellished depictions, embracing joy in her life and art to reclaim the space of the creative feminine. Drawing from her personal experiences of dilemmas, conflicts, joys, and aches, Chander creates powerful expressions of womanhood, strength, and sensuality. Her early work focused on printmaking (etching, lithography, and woodcut) before expanding into painting, mixed media, video art, and assemblages. Characterised by vibrant colors, fresh compositions, and a blend of edgy and conventional styles, her work celebrates the erotic and sensuous aspects of the female form. Influenced by Amrita Sher-Gil and Frida Kahlo, Chander intertwines their legacies in her art. Themes of the goddess, especially Devi, are central, inspired by Indian temple sculptures, mythology, and Hollywood and Bollywood icons, particularly tragic queens. Her art explores the female form’s complex relationship with power, violence, and sensuality.

Chander’s works are in collections worldwide, including the National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi; Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi; the British Museum; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; École des Beaux-Arts, Paris; Fukuoka Art Museum, Japan; Museum of Sacred Arts, Belgium; as well as private collections in India and abroad.

Chander lives and works in Delhi.