Avinash Chandra

Born 1931 – Died 1991

Chandra was born in Simla, India. In 1947–51 he studied painting at the Delhi Polytechnic Art School, where he subsequently became a fine art lecturer. In 1956 he moved to London, where he had won a scholarship at St Martin’s School of Art. In 1959 he spent some time in Belfast, where his watercolour paintings became more intensely colourful. During the late 1950s Chandra explored philosophy, in search of a more original style. In the 1960s he gained widespread recognition, exhibiting across Europe and the US. In 1965, Chandra became the first Indian British artist to exhibit at the Tate Gallery.