Nehal Desaiverified

Active since 2018

Nehal Desai (b. 1978) is a contemporary artist based in Ahmedabad. Her artistic practice is rooted in the research and study of the flora and fauna in her surroundings. Through meticulous drawing, study, and note-making, she delves into the intricate systems of interdependence and universal sustenance in nature. Desai is particularly captivated by nature's enigmatic qualities, infused with spirituality and mysticism, which she strives to evoke in her work. Her art celebrates the simplicity of nature's forms, its flawless perfection, and its surreal, larger-than-life presence that underscores its dominance over human existence. Desai utilises her observations of nature, alongside her spiritual practices, to create large-scale oil paintings. The underlying narrative of her work emphasises the interconnectedness of all life forms on our planet. Additionally, she occasionally explores deeply personal and feminist themes around motherhood and gender bias through the medium of printmaking. Her works have been included in various group shows and private collections both in India and abroad.
Desai graduated with a Bachelors of Visual Arts (BVA) from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (1999) and completed her Masters in textile design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (2003). As an entrepreneur and founder of her brand Nehal Desai, she designed hand illustrated fabrics and home textiles and sold them in India and Paris from the year 2004-2017. She transitioned full time into studio art practice in 2018.