Indian Art Creators Transforming The Ordinary Into Extraordinary Visuals On Instagram

Art is magic that can speak to the soul. It touches our hearts, leaves a mark on the mind, and transports us to places where only imagination wanders. But how often do we encounter artists who can do all this uniquely yet effortlessly?

India is home to many treasures, among which are such talents. And in this digital age, Instagram is the place to be if you’ve ever wondered what art truly means or want to explore its beauty beyond galleries and museums.

I’ve made a list of the distinctive influencers in India whose work will make you stop, stare and wonder. Follow them and let their art redefine your perspective. After all, true art isn’t just seen, it must be felt.

Jayesh Joshi: The Art of Being Superhuman

Jayesh Joshi is a Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology student. He believes Indians see art as a part of their everyday lives, not just something we admire in galleries or museums.

Jayesh’s alter ego is “Jayman,” Let’s read how his art became his superpower. Like you and me, Jayesh was fascinated by superheroes growing up. He spent hours thinking about larger-than-life stories, but his dreams of being a superhero faded as he entered adulthood. Sadly, he didn’t land in a space egg or get bitten by a radioactive spider. But he found his superpower in his art knowledge and drawing. It helped him to make friends and spread happiness.

As a child, he paired his drawings with imaginative backstories, a habit that continues to shape his work today. Jayesh’s art involves bold themes like sexuality, masculinity, religion, and body image, often sparking thought and conversation.

While he acknowledges occasional research errors in past works, he considers them to improve and evolve. The chaos in his mind drives his creative process, and he finds calm when he draws.

Apart from art, Jayesh explores his bold and confident side through rap, contrasting with the humbleness of his artistic persona. His project Undecided blended hyper-realism with the mystical Mahabharata and stood out as his best work during his graduation.

Currently an Art Director at Schbang, Mumbai, he also runs Jayman Artworks, providing works to industries like film, music and corporate clients. His notable collaborations include Stanza Living, Anuv Jain, and Azadi Records, and he has been featured in Vogue, Verve, and Homegrown India.

He is fluent in English, Hindi, and German. Jayesh’s skills include animation, character design, and digital painting, making him a versatile force in the creative world.

Social Media and Other Links: Instagram (New) (Old) / Portfolio

Aniruddh Mehta: Blends Art, Geometry, and Innovation

Aniruddh Mehta is a Mumbai-based visual artist, graphic designer and art director who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the design world. As the founder of Studio Bigfat, he collaborated with brands like Puma, Red Bull, and Adidas.

His role as the design lead for Netflix’s Sacred Games title sequence showcased his expertise in Indian mythology and visual storytelling.

Unlike many artists, his passion for art began during his design school years. Thinkers like Jon Maeda and John Berger influenced him. With Studio Bigfat, he worked on diverse projects, including branding, illustration, motion graphics, and murals, and he was always seeking fresh challenges and growth.

Beyond commercial work, Aniruddh works on tactile art, a black-and-white painting series named Perfect. He utilises technology, augmented reality, robotics, and coding to transform design. He advocates for updated curricula in design schools to prepare future creators.

Aniruddh’s journey also includes personal milestones, such as launching a product-focused brand that was met with overwhelming success. His work proves that design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about connecting stories, symbols and innovation to push creative boundaries.

Social Media and Other Links: Instagram / Portfolio / LinkedIn

Rah Naqvi: Art as Activism, Healing, and Resistance (They/Them)

Rah Naqvi is an Indian artist who was in Mumbai and is now in Amsterdam. They use art to address societal and religious polarisation. Their work combines satire, soft textures and whim with powerful messages about identity, injustice and politics.

Rah’s journey began with a Liberal Arts degree from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and a Bachelor’s in Textiles from NID Ahmedabad. For them, textiles are a canvas to explore the politics of the body and identity. This lays the foundation for their introspective and slow-paced artistic practice.

Their exhibitions, such as Bashaoor in Mumbai and Sharam o Haya in Hamburg, along with showcases at prestigious venues like the Bangkok Art Biennale and Kunsthall Trondheim, highlight their focus on socio-political themes.

Group shows include Hunger: For Life, Love, Human Contact, Touch, Freedom in Amsterdam and Inherited Memory at TARQ in Mumbai. Rah participated in residencies like De Ateliers in Amsterdam and the Forecast Forum in Berlin.

Awards like The Phenomenal She by the Indian National Bar Association and the NID Ford Foundation Grant recognise their contributions to art and activism.

Their Prominent works also include, How Many Songs in a Single Note? It combines video installations, tapestries, and sculptures, adding themes of dissent with care and healing, making its message personal and universal.

By blending activism with art, Rah Naqvi challenges societal norms and inspires daily change. Their work transforms creativity to shape a more inclusive and honest earth.

Social Media and Other Links: Instagram / Portfolio

Gaurav Basu: Art for Metal

Gaurav Basu is a graphic designer, illustrator, and member of Bangalore’s death/thrash metal band Inner Sanctum. He merges his love for music and art. Known for his hand-drawn illustrations, Basu creates visually striking work that reflects the raw energy of metal music.

Starting his artistic journey designing artwork for Inner Sanctum, Basu transitioned to hand-drawn illustrations, valuing their organic and precise quality. Over the years, under his socials Acid Toad, he designed for bands like Goddess Gagged, Theorised, Demonic Resurrection, and French electro-metal artist The Algorithm. Additional work includes branding and quirky projects for publications like Brainwave and Current Conservation.

Basu’s inspirations include graphic novel artist Mike Mignola and metal bands like Baroness and Mastodon, influencing his dark yet vibrant aesthetic. He focuses on authenticity and collaboration, particularly with musicians, to create meaningful visuals.

With recognition across India and globally, Basu continues to push creative boundaries, proving that art and music can collide in powerful and innovative ways.

Social Media and Other Links: Instagram / Portfolio / X / LinkedIn

Jasjyot Singh Hans: Art for New Beauty Through Illustration

Jasjyot Singh is an illustrator known for his vibrant, neon-hued art. his work challenges traditional ideas of beauty and body image and blends his passion for art and fashion, glorifying diversity and individuality.

From childhood, Jasjyot found comfort in drawing. His sketchbook was an escape in his lively joint family. Supported by his parents, he pursued art, studying Animation Film Design at NID Ahmedabad and later earning an MFA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Over the years, he collaborated with top names like Sabyasachi, Manish Arora, Vogue and Penguin Books, establishing himself as a creative force in the industry.

Jasjyot’s illustrations often feature full-bodied women with unique traits like body marks and oil-soaked hair, embracing a more inclusive view of beauty.

His work mainly explores nostalgia, self-love, body positivity and erotica, challenging societal norms and encouraging diversity in fashion. Influenced by pop culture, music, and fashion, his art merges old times with modern trends in a colourful, dynamic style.

His perfect day involves drawing, listening to music, and enjoying homemade food, all while challenging beauty standards through his creations.

Jasjyot Singh Hans uses his art to empower individuals to embrace their uniqueness, proving that true beauty lies in diversity. His work has individuality and makes a strong statement for a more inclusive & expressive future in fashion and art.

Social Media and Other Links: Instagram / Portfolio

Finally, What I am saying is…

These aren’t your everyday art influencers; each artist has a distinct touch, style, and story on the canvas. They transform ordinary moments into extraordinary visuals, creating a world we want to revisit.

If you’re ready to get lost in the imaginative universe of unique art from Indian artists, these creators are perfect for following and enjoying their wonders.

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