This year marks the 34th Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation Annual Awards—an enduring testament to our collective commitment to nurturing the voices of India’s artists. Over the decades, these awards have celebrated creativity, innovation, and the courage to express the evolving spirit of our times.
As we look around today, Indian art is witnessing a profound moment on the global stage. From museums and biennales to independent galleries, Indian artists are shaping conversations with a visual presence that is both deeply rooted and refreshingly contemporary. This recognition affirms what the Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation has long believed: that the imagination of our artists is vital not only to Indian culture but also to the world’s understanding of it.
It is in this spirit that we proudly presented (Un)Layering the Future Past of South Asia – Young Artists’ Voices in London earlier this year. The exhibition brought together emerging talents whose works challenge, reinterpret, and expand the narratives of our shared histories. Their voices echo across continents, reminding us that art is both memory and possibility, tradition and transformation.
The past few decades has seen over 100 artists and sculptors establish themselves on new grounds through RJMF. Many of whom are celebrated names in the contemporary art scene, such as Hemraj, G. R. Iranna, Nidhi Agarwal, Sonia Khurana, M. S. C. Satya Sai, to name a few. In addition to this the awardees and the jury have played a pivotal role in showcasing varied innovative and experimental artworks.
This year, the panel of jury consisted of those of the art fraternity bearing in mind the evolving landscape of art, we felt it fit to have a wide spectrum which led us to invite Ina Puri, Rekha Rodwittiya, Arunkumar HG, Vibha Galhotra and Anish Gawande to review the submissions. We witnessed an impressive young talent pool from across the country, seeing artists experiment with alternative materials and new techniques this showcases the immense potential young India has to offer.
As we celebrate the 34th year of these awards, we honour not only the legacy of Ravi Jain but also the resilience and brilliance of the next generation of Indian artists. May their journeys continue to inspire, question, and shape the cultural landscapes of tomorrow.