New York based artist Jeena Raghavan presents new solo exhibition in Bangalore
New York based artist Jeena Raghavan presented her latest solo exhibition in Bangalore this May, unveiling a new body of paintings created between New York and India. Hosted at Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, the exhibition brought together collectors, entrepreneurs, artists, cultural leaders, government representatives, and international visitors, underscoring the growing demand for Raghavan’s work across India and abroad. “For me, abstraction comes from letting go of control,” said Raghavan. “I try to enter a subconscious space where instinct, colour, and movement guide the painting without a predetermined structure.” Based in New York City, Raghavan has built an international practice spanning the United States, Europe, and India. Known for her monumental paintings distinguished by vibrant colour, layered textures, and expressive mark making, she creates paintings that move fluidly between abstraction and figuration. Inspired by flora, fauna, and the emotional parallels between humans and animals, her paintings become immersive worlds where colour itself carries emotion and movement. Developed between her studios in New York and Bangalore, the works on view reflect a dialogue between two cultures while remaining rooted in an intuitive approach to painting. Rather than beginning with a fixed composition, Raghavan allows each work to evolve organically through layers of colour, texture, and gesture. Among the defining works of the exhibition was Butterflies of Agastya, a monumental 7 x 10 ft oil and acrylic painting that emerged as one of the exhibition’s centrepieces. Inspired by the butterfly park at the Agastya International Foundation campus, the work places delicate butterflies within a dreamlike landscape. “I’m drawn to painting subjects I feel emotionally connected to,” said Raghavan. “Butterflies feel incredibly delicate to me. After visiting the butterfly park at Agastya, I was fascinated by the idea of placing them within an almost ethereal setting.” The evening also featured an artist Q&A exploring Raghavan’s creative process and the influence of living and working between New York and India. She spoke about embracing intuition in the studio, allowing colour, movement, and texture to guide each painting rather than following a predetermined composition. Raghavan studied at Parsons School of Design in New York, where she spent years experimenting with surrealism, materials, and scale while developing the visual language that defines her work today. It was during her time at Parsons that she discovered a deep fascination with painting inspired by New York itself. The city’s relentless energy, diversity, and constant movement continue to influence her expressive use of colour. Raghavan has established an international exhibition history with shows across New York City, London, Madrid, and India. She has created select works for tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. Her paintings are held in private collections across the United States, India, Singapore, and Europe, including those of prominent entrepreneurs and business leaders, several of whom are billionaires. Among her recent institutional milestones, her portrait of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan entered the permanent collection at Stanford University. Following her Bangalore exhibition, Raghavan returns to New York City, where she is currently working on a new series alongside upcoming exhibitions and projects, continuing the rapid international growth of a practice that bridges continents while remaining rooted in the expressive power of colour and movement. Go to Source
