• CICA, Vancouver
  • CICA, Vancouver
  • CICA, Vancouver
  • CICA, Vancouver
  • CICA, Vancouver
 

BIOGRAPHY

Raghav Babbar's figurative paintings draw from his Indian heritage and mid-20th century British art techniques. He uses oil paint lavishly, building up thick layers to create rich textures. His intense connection with sitters and the physical presence he imparts to them have drawn comparisons to British artists, but Babbar's approach is uniquely his own.

Quiet and gentle, Raghav's 'conversations' with his sitters are reflected in his empathetic and sensitive portrayal of ordinary working people. Often depicting subjects in daylight to capture natural emotions, the harsh shadows of his scenes add poignancy and drama.

As a young artist, Raghav's work is evolving. He continues to build up layers of oil paint patiently but sometimes uses ground chalk for a faster, more rhythmic technique. He now occasionally paints large compositions with multiple figures, creating dynamic interactions and slightly abstracted patterns. Each new work reveals his extraordinary talent.

Born in Rohtak, near Delhi, Raghav was influenced by his travels through Uttarakhand and Sikkim. He studied at Lasalle College of Art in Singapore and participated in a group exhibition at The Institute of Contemporary Art in 2019. After deferring his MFA offer at the Royal College of Art in London, he began his studies there in 2022. Raghav currently lives and works in London.

Selected Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

Dec - Feb 2025/26 – "Raghav Babbar: My Mother Tongue is Paint" CICA Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada

Sep - Oct 2025 – "Mela." Nature Morte, New Delhi, India

Oct - Nov 2024 – "Orchestrated Characters", Larsen Warner Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden

Jan 2024 - Solo Presentation of Newest Works at ART SG 2024, Singapore

2023 - "Raghav Babbar: Layers of Life", Zuecca Projects, Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa, Venice, Italy

2023 - "Raghav Babbar: New Paintings", Nahmad Projects, London, UK

2021 - "A Visual Journey: Paintings by Raghav Babbar", Waterhouse & Dodd, London, UK

Group Exhibitions

Oct 2025 – "Presentation Of Work's" Frieze, London, UK

Feb - Mar 2025 – "Exhibitionism", Rajiv Menon Contemporary, Los Angeles, USA

Feb 2025 – Presentation of works at India Art Fair, Nature Morte Gallery, New Dheli, India

Jan - Mar 2024 – "The Body Electric", Larsen Warner Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden

Mar 2024 – Presentation of works at Art Basel Hong Kong, Helly Nahmad Gallery, Hong Kong

Dec 2023 - Apr 2024 – Presentation of New Works, ICA Miami, Miami, FL, USA

2019 – Institute of Contemporary Art, Singapore

Press

Artworks

Raghav Babbar Artwork

SUNRISE IN MAHA KUMBH 2025

Oil on Canvas
203 x 250 cm
79 7/8 x 98 3/8 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

FARMER WORRIED ABOUT HIS CROPS 2025

Gouache on paper
76.2 x 55.9 cm
30 x 22 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

BANJAR SE SONA 2025

Oil on Canvas
127 x 203.2 cm
50 x 80 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

AGAPE 2025

Oil on Canvas
152.4 x 101.6 cm
60 x 40 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

YAADEIN 2025

Oil on Canvas
152.4 x 101.6 cm
60 x 40 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

THE GREEN COAT (SELF PORTRAIT) 2024

Gouache on Paper
55.9 x 76.2 cm
22 x 30 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

VILLAGE GOSSIP 2024

Oil on Canvas
152.4 x 203.2 cm
60 x 80 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

LAST SPRING 2024

Oil on Canvas
203.2 x 152.4 x 6.5 cm
80 x 60 x 2 1/2 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

KERU CHEN 2024

Oil on Linen
139.7 x 83.8 cm
55 x 33 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

NATURAL (SELF PORTRAIT) 2024

Oil on Canvas
40.6 x 30.5 cm
16 x 12 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

CHITRAKAAR (SELF PORTRAIT) 2023

Oil on Canvas
76.2 x 50.8 cm
30 x 20 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

THE SECRET 2023

Oil on Canvas
152.4 x 121.9 cm
60 x 48 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

HOPE 2023

Oil on Canvas
101.6 x 152.4 cm
40 x 60 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

FIELDS ARE HIS GOLD 2023

Oil on Canvas
101.6 x 152.4 cm
40 x 60 in
Raghav Babbar Artwork

AMAR (SELF PORTRAIT) 2023

Oil on Canvas
101.6 x 76.2 cm
40 x 30 in