Raghav Babbar was born in Rohtak, India in 1997. After studies in Singapore at the Lasalle College of Art, he immigrated to London, England in 2022 to pursue further art education at the Royal College of Art.
Contemporary painter Raghav Babbar was born in 1997 in Rohtak, India, a city known for holding Asia’s largest cloth market. Travelling across Uttarakhand and Sikkim, the Northern states bordering Tibet and the Himalayas, had a significant impact on Babbar and his artistic practice. The spirituality of the region, its people, and the discovery of his own heritage deeply influenced him and shaped his creative journey. In 2017, he immigrated to Singapore to study at the Lasalle College of Art. In 2019, he took part in a group exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Singapore which garnered positive attention: this career milestone launched him into the contemporary art world. Although he had initially postponed his place the Royal College of Art, London on its MFA programme, he eventually enrolled in 2022 and immigrated to England.
Despite his recent arrival, Babbar had two notable exhibitions in England in quick succession, while still a student. In 2021, he had his London debut at Waterhouse & Dodd, with an exhibition entitled A Visual Journey: Paintings by Raghav Babbar, which received much critical attention, and which was followed by a solo exhibition in 2023 at Nahmad Projects Gallery in Cork Street, London W1, titled Raghav Babbar: New Paintings . His figurative artworks take inspiration from both his Indian roots and the artistic methods prevalent in mid-twentieth century British art. He uses oil paint generously, taking pleasure in the unique richness that this medium can provide to an artist willing to patiently create such substantial layers. This method, coupled with the frequently profound connection with the person being portrayed, and the distinctive presence Babbar bestows upon them, have led to comparisons with twentieth century Modern British artists. Babbar’s diffident character, as he describes, lends itself to courteous and considerate ‘conversations’ with the people he paints (Babbar, 2023). He primarily selects his subjects from ordinary everyday people, including friends and family, within India’s vibrant and varied society. While such individuals might commonly be overlooked, Babbar’s empathy and compassion gives his portraits dignity and power. The artist states: ‘Their momentary actions usually give me the purest display of emotion possible, especially when they are alone,’ (Babbar, 2023). A significant part of Babbar’s decision to depict his subjects under daylight conditions is related to typical daily life in India: trying to avoid the stifling indoor heat and the harsh sun outside. As his sitters take shelter in the shade, strong sunlight nonetheless creates dramatic and intense shadows. By an application of chiaroscuro, his portraiture acquires a reflective atmosphere where commonplace occurances are given exceptional meaning. As he has stated: '[…] I am always looking for the next opportunity to translate life experiences into art.[…] By using bold colours and definite strokes, I try to make people feel what I felt. […] I paint with my emotions. I portray exactly what I am feeling at that moment. […] Inspiration comes from within the heart. […] My works are also highly inspired by Van Gogh. I love how his spontaneity gave aesthetic volume to his landscapes and portraits,' (Babbar, 2017).
Babbar has also made waves due to the remarkable prices his artworks have commanded at auctions. In his auction debut for Sotheby’s First Live Sale in Singapore in 2021, the painting Memory is a Permanent Luxury was sold for $318,000, while his painting Surinder surpassed all projections when it was auctioned for over $450,000 at Phillips London in October 2022. Likewise, Off Duty set a new auction record when it was sold for almost $650,000 at Phillips Hong Kong in December 2022.
As an emerging artist, Babbar’s practice is still changing. Embracing a slow approach, he builds oil paint in layers that sometimes necessitate up to 15 days of drying time. A new layer is applied only after this period of time has passed. However, certain subjects demand a more immediate and rhythmical approach. To quicken the process, the artist incorporates ground chalk into oil paint. His artistic focus has also expanded beyond singular observed sitters to include multi-figure compositions. These large canvases are filled with carefully arranged groups where the edges of figures blend subtly. Babbar is presently based in London, England where he lives and continues to work. His work is not currently represented in the UK public domain.
Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Raghav Babbar]
Publications related to [Raghav Babbar] in the Ben Uri Library