Aksh Diwan Garg, creates evocative figurative compositions that blur the boundaries between the autobiographical and the imagined. His paintings draw from life—intimate moments, cultural encounters, and emotional states—expressed through bold strokes of oil and acrylic in vivid, saturated hues.
A graduate of the College of Art, New Delhi, Aksh’s practice is grounded in personal observation, filtered through a sensitive, cinematic gaze.
At the heart of Aksh’s work lies a deep exploration of identity. His characters, often gender-neutral and sensually styled, inhabit richly layered worlds that reflect both his immediate surroundings and inner psyche. With groovy hairstyles, expressive gestures, and unapologetic postures, these figures assert their individuality and hint at stories that are personal yet universal.
The artist’s attention to body language—a raised eyebrow, a tender touch, a sideways glance—imbues each work with drama and emotional resonance.
Inspired by filmmakers like Shyam Benegal and Mira Nair, he sees his compositions as stills from a film yet to be made. The framing, colour palettes, and character styling in his paintings echo the storytelling language of cinema. His dream is to extend this sensibility into filmmaking, using motion to further articulate the emotional cadence that already pulses through his visual work.
Beyond cinema, Aksh finds enduring inspiration in South Asian histories and visual cultures—from Mughal miniatures to temple architecture and Pahari paintings. These traditions, with their attention to ornamental detail and narrative layering, seep into his own practice, making it both contemporary and timeless.
In moments of creative block, Aksh turns to films and historical texts, particularly Indian history, to ground and reignite his practice. He believes the past has a way of reviving instinct, offering paths back into creation when inspiration falters.
His current major series– titled Wedding Guests, is an observational and imaginative portrayal of rituals and nuances from North Indian weddings. It captures the idiosyncrasies of people on the periphery—the quiet observer, the over-dressed cousin, the awkward hug. The second series stems from his recent travels in Pakistan, weaving together autobiographical moments with vignettes of the people and places he encountered there. Together, these bodies of work reflect his dual interest in cultural anthropology and narrative intimacy.
Through his layered storytelling, he offers a world where identity, history, and emotion converge. His paintings are invitations—to observe, to remember, to feel. And in doing so, they mark him as one of the most compelling young voices in the contemporary South Asian art scene.
All artworks by Aksh Diwan Garg.
