Jeena Raghavan’s paintings don’t just adorn walls – they breathe, pulsating with an energy that absorbs the space around them. Working on canvases often exceeding fifty square feet, she blends “color, texture, and movement,” with a balance of instinct and precision. Her art fuses bold, unapologetic hues with “deep textures, structured forms with raw energy,” creating a visual language uniquely her own.

Defined silhouettes – whether human figures, animals, or abstract forms – emerge from her textured backgrounds.

“My work often explores themes of nature, movement, and instinct, drawing from both Indian heritage and Western influences,” Raghavan told South Asian Herald. She explained while her paintings occasionally incorporate spiritual elements, such as Hindu deities in abstract form, her primary focus remains the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the natural world.

Born in London and now based in New York, Raghavan didn’t come from an artistic household.

“There was no family tradition of painting, no clear path into the art world. My fascination with color and composition developed naturally, starting at the age of five and eventually leading me to Parsons,” expressed Raghavan. “After graduating with a degree in fine arts, New York City became both my home and inspiration. The city sharpened my style and introduced me to a global network of artists and collectors.”

With no pre-forged path into the competitive art world, Raghavan understood that her work would have to speak for itself. Walking into galleries and introducing herself, she found that her paintings made a lasting impression.

Her breakthrough came with her first major New York City exhibition in Chelsea, where she was selected to showcase her art alongside ninety-nine other artists.

“Even in such a large group, my paintings stood out for their scale, vibrancy, and immersive quality. Since then, I have exhibited in galleries and event spaces across New York, as well as in Madrid and India, steadily building a presence that reached beyond New York and gained international attention,” shared Raghavan. 

One of Raghavan’s earliest collectors was the late stock market wizard Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, who acquired her painting of a bull, a nod to his title as India’s “Big Bull of India.” His patronage reinforced the growing demand for her work.

Her paintings have since found homes with collectors worldwide, including high-profile buyers and billionaire clients drawn to the energy and intensity of her art.

A particularly memorable moment came when tennis legend Andre Agassi visited her studio, captivated by the dynamic quality of her paintings. “It was one of many instances that highlighted how my work speaks across different audiences and industries,” Raghavan said.

Beyond private collections, Raghavan’s presence continues to expand into cultural and institutional spaces.

Recently, Indiaspora, a nonprofit uniting influential leader of Indian origin, commissioned her to create the cover artwork for the Indiaspora Impact Report, celebrating the global Indian community’s contributions.

Her work was unveiled in Abu Dhabi at the Indiaspora Forum for Good (IFG) Summit 2025, attended by distinguished figures such as Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the UAE, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, actor Vivek Oberoi, CEO of FedEx Raj Subramanian, Chairman of Piramal Group, Ajay Piramal, former US Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Verma, and Tennis Star, Vijay Amritraj. The Indiaspora event brought together 700 prominent Indian diaspora leaders from over 30 countries. 

Raghavan recalled that her paintings have also been showcased at the Indian Consulate in New York, where Indra Nooyi was the chief guest, another milestone in her journey.

“At its core, my art is about feeling. The bright colors, layered textures, and bold compositions are not just aesthetic choices—they are ways of distilling emotion and capturing movement,” Raghavan said underscoring whether portraying an animal in motion or the tension within a human form, her paintings create an immediate, visceral connection.

As Raghavan continues to show her work globally, she remains focused on pushing her style forward, experimenting with new ideas while staying true to the elements that define her work. From New York to Madrid to India, her journey as an artist is unfolding in ways that are both exciting and unpredictable – just like the art she creates.

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