About Gurmeet Marwah

Gurmeet Marwah (born 1984, Delhi) is an Indian modern contemporary artist whose practice spans printmaking and painting. Known for his sharp visual language and symbolic storytelling, his work resonates strongly within the landscape of contemporary artists in Chandigarh and the wider Indian art scene.

Marwah completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting in 2009 and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Printmaking in 2011 from the College of Art, New Delhi. Prior to his formal fine art education, he studied commercial art at I.T.I. PUSA, New Delhi, in 2002. This diverse academic background informs his distinctive approach, combining technical precision with conceptual depth.

At the core of Gurmeet Marwah’s practice is a satirical exploration of personal and societal realities. His artworks employ recurring symbols such as hearts, crowns, jars, soda bottles, donkeys, owls, and cows—everyday objects and animals transformed into metaphors for human behavior. These symbolic narratives allow his work to engage critically with social structures, belief systems, and collective contradictions, making his practice particularly relevant to collectors and viewers seeking meaningful art collections in Chandigarh.

Marwah’s visual compositions often feature stark monochromatic backgrounds punctuated by bold accents of color, most notably red. This deliberate use of red intensifies emotional impact and draws attention to central themes within the work. He works across a wide range of mediums, including charcoal, acrylic, oil, watercolor, lithography, etching, linocut, and his preferred medium, woodcut, enabling rich textures and layered visual effects.

His paintings and prints are recognized for their emotionally charged and sarcastic undertones. Through animals and symbolic imagery, Marwah comments on societal conditioning, hypocrisy, and cultural narratives. For instance, a cow may appear as a symbol of societal waste, while a donkey represents stubbornness or blind obedience. He also critically examines the commodification of iconic figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, questioning how his image is widely circulated without a genuine commitment to his ideals.

Gurmeet Marwah has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, including prominent art exhibitions in Chandigarh and leading institutions such as the Bombay Art Society, Ravindra Bhavan, Lalit Kala Academy, and Jahangir Art Gallery. His works form part of several notable collections, including the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and the permanent collection of the College of Art, New Delhi, further strengthening his presence in important art collections in Chandigarh and beyond.

Through a compelling blend of humor, symbolism, and social critique, Gurmeet Marwah creates art that is both visually striking and intellectually engaging. His ability to balance satire with emotional depth positions him as a significant voice among modern contemporary artists, appealing to collectors, curators, and audiences interested in thoughtful contemporary practices.