Born in 1949, Patiala, Gurcharan Singh is an acclaimed Indian painter, known for his figurative paintings. He studied at the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chandigarh. His signature paintings are based on people from a financially compromising class, specifically focusing on underprivileged and exploited women.

“I love observing people and use it to interpret emotions which people never see. Their habits which they try to hide from society; how do their hands react while talking to others. I keenly watch people’s behaviour and attitude to things and reflect it in my works. I show people from my window what they themselves don’t see.” Gurcharan explains.

With time, he explored the relationship between various elements that make up our world, most noteworthy being juxtaposing animals with prostitutes, a recurrent theme, that dominates his paintings. Using them as symbols to expose the primitivity in humans, he explores the links between animal and human nature.

In 1976, he received the National Award and in 1991, received the Padma Shri from the Government of India, New Delhi. 

The artist lives and works in Mumbai, India.