Nandan Purkayastha Indian, b. 1986

Overview
Nandan Purkayastha, Gandhi Preaching, 2021
Nandan Purkayastha, Isolation In Cosmos-0.1, 2021
Nandan Purkayastha, Kendshem Elysium
Nandan Purkayastha
Gandhi Preaching, 2021
Pen & Ink, watercolor and acrylic on paper
57" x 60"
“It is always about how we perceive things – someone may see religion in my work, others may see a larger narrative of strength and beauty,"
-  Nandan Purkayastha
The practice of Nandan Purkayastha emerges from a richly layered visual vocabulary shaped by both ancient Indian mythology and the cinematic allure of Western cowboy classics. Rooted in a deep love for drawing, his work unfolds through intricately detailed pen-and-ink compositions, often rendered in monochrome. These densely worked surfaces form immersive tapestries where time collapses, allowing memory, myth, and imagination to coexist.
His faceless figures—sculptural in presence, inhabit carefully constructed worlds interwoven with birds, beasts, and symbolic elements. The compositions often spiral and contour across the picture plane, creating rhythmic, meditative structures that bring forth an esoteric yet refined visual language. Though anchored in the present, Purkayastha’s practice carries a distinct resonance of the past, positioning him as a contemporary modernist navigating multiple temporalities.
Drawing from his childhood in Assam, his imagery echoes the gestures and movements of folk traditions, imbuing his characters with a quiet sense of performativity and ritual. Extending his visual language into three dimensions, he also explores caricature with notable finesse. His oeuvre reflects a sustained engagement with narrative, form, and ornamentation, each element meticulously composed to evoke worlds that are at once intimate and expansive.
Purkayastha has presented his work in numerous solo and group exhibitions across India and internationally. His recent solo exhibitions include presentations at Bikaner House (2023) and Jehangir Art Gallery (2025). His first solo exhibition was held in Kolkata in 2010, followed by shows in New Delhi and Mumbai with leading galleries, including Art Musings. A significant solo presentation with Gallerie Ganesha at the India Art Fair in 2016 was widely noted. His works have also been exhibited at Mondo Art Gallery, Spain, and featured in prominent publications such as The Hindu, Delhi Times, and The Week.
Works
  • Nandan Purkayastha, Gandhi Preaching, 2021
    Nandan Purkayastha
    Gandhi Preaching, 2021
    Pen & Ink, watercolor and acrylic on paper
    57" x 60"
    Enquire
  • Nandan Purkayastha, Isolation In Cosmos-0.1, 2021
    Nandan Purkayastha
    Isolation In Cosmos-0.1, 2021
    Pen & Ink, watercolor and acrylic on paper
    54" x 59"
    Enquire
  • Nandan Purkayastha, Kendshem Elysium
    Nandan Purkayastha
    Kendshem Elysium
    Pen, Ink and Watercolor on Paper
    57 x 34 in.
    144.8 x 86.4 cm
    Enquire
Publications
Videos
Exhibitions
Enquire

Send me more information on Nandan Purkayastha

Please fill in the fields marked with an asterisk

* denotes required fields

In order to respond to your enquiry, we will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy (available on request). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.

Related content