Hemant Rao is a self-taught abstract painter, born in the remote village of Raghogarh, Guna district, Madhya Pradesh. In his formative years, Rao worked at Bhopal’s Bharat Bhavan multi-art complex. Soon after, he began his transition as an artist.

Rao’s works have a humble personality and one can feel a sense of calm when standing in front of his frames. Despite his regional descent, his work is far from being traditional andarises from the multifarious elements of the world where he plays with juxtaposed forms and shapes. In his soothing visual language, they seem to reclaim their identities with luminescent shades oft submerged under translucent layers of paint; is the artists way of discovering the mysteries of his fascination, collectively displaying a composition with ample breathing space where one can find space to stop, stare and breathe in this constantly moving world.

The artist has been a recipient of the 60th National Academy Award from Lalit Kala Academy, in 2019.

The artist lives and works in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.