Born in 1964, Manisha Parekh is a distinguished artist known for her commitment to abstraction. She holds a Master’s degree in Painting from both the Royal College of Art in London (1991-93) and M.S. University in Baroda (1983-1990). As one of the founding members of Khoj International Artists Workshop, Parekh has been a vital part of India’s contemporary art scene.

Her work stands out in India today for its purely abstract language, drawing on influences from the ethereal minimalism of Gaitonde, the precise geometry of Nasreen Mohammedi—one of her teachers in Baroda—and the expressive ink drawings of Jeram Patel. Parekh’s practice is also deeply rooted in the craft and textile traditions of her homeland, blending these inspirations into her distinctive style. Moving between painting, collage, and drawing, she creates intricate compositions that balance geometry with organic forms. Her most recognized works involve layering handmade paper shapes into dense, textured patterns, sometimes puncturing the surface or adding unexpected materials to heighten their visual impact.

Parekh has held numerous solo exhibitions worldwide, with her most recent show at Jhaveri Contemporary in Mumbai. Her work is part of significant public and private collections, including the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi, Lalit Kala Akademi in Ahmedabad, Jehangir Nicholson Collection in Mumbai, Royal College of Art in London, Davey and Chester Herwitz Collection in Boston, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Cologne, and the Robert Lodar Collection in London.