Hemant Rao is a self-taught Indian abstract artist, whose paintings have been featured at international art fairs.

Hemant Rao after receiving National Award in Mumbai
Hemant Rao after receiving National Award in Mumbai (2019)

Rao was born in 1984 at Raghogarh, Madhya Pradesh and worked at Bhopal's Bharat Bhavan multi-arts complex during his formative years.[1]

He has received 60th National Academy Award from Lalit Kala Akademi, India's national academy of fine arts, in 2019.[2] Rao is also a recipient of Junior Fellowship (2011–12) of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Despite coming from a humble, rural background, his modern abstract work with soft pastels is free from any regional inclinations, as noted by Rita Dutta of The Telegraph.[3] Rao's paintings have been canvassed at numerous exhibits including Busan International Art Fair in 2011, Seoul Art Festival in 2011, Art Revolution Taipei in 2019, Bangkok Triennale International Print & Drawing Exhibition in 2014, India Art Fair in 2020,[4] among other solo or group shows.[5][6][7] The artist currently lives and works in Bhopal.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Raghuvanshi, Alka (26 August 2013). "Battling rain-induced inertia to see luminescent art". The Asian Age. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Free Press Journal Free Press - Bhopal Edition epaper dated Tue, 2 Apr 19". epaper.freepressjournal.in. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  3. ^ Datta, Rita (20 June 2009). "FLUID AND FLEETING SUBSTANCE". The Telegraph.
  4. ^ Pioneer, The. "City artist Hemant Rao all set to woo art lovers at India Art Fair". The Pioneer. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Bhopal: Hemant's artworks find place in Intl Art Exhibition". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  6. ^ "THROUGH THE MIND'S EYE". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  7. ^ "My imagination runs wild, says artist Hemant Rao". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2020.