Born 1970, Karnataka, India
During his youth, Iranna studied in a Gurukul (a system of education where the student resides with the teacher), and lived in an ashram for almost seven years. These experiences contributed to his strong connection to his cultural roots, which manifests in his work alongside his exploration of inherent dualities of the world. Iranna endeavors to translate an internal landscape onto tactile surfaces and aspects of Buddhist art influences are evident. Although he began his career painting oil on canvases, Iranna later developed his use of tarpaulin as his primary medium.
The artist has had at least 16 solo shows and over 50 group shows through the years, including the 58th Venice Biennale - May You Live In Interesting Times in 2019. Notable shows from recent years include The Primordial Ash, Aicon Gallery, New York (2017); Ether is all that is, Gallery Espace New Delhi (2017); And the last shall be the first: GR Iranna, Works 1995-2015 in the National Gallery of Modern Art Bengaluru (2016); Tempered Branches, AICON Gallery, New York (2014); Limning Heterotopias: A Journey into G.R. Iranna's Shadows of the InBetween, Gallery Espace, New Delhi (2012); Thought of the day, Kashi Art Gallery, Kochi (2012); Scaffolding the Absent, The Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai (2011); and the Ribbed Routes, The Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai (2010).
Iranna's work was recently featured by Aicon Contemporary at Expo Chicago 2025.
The artist lives and works in New Delhi, India.