Varun’s journey as an artist is shaped by his deep connection to spirituality, adventure, and his unique upbringing brought about by being born into a military family. His creative path diverged from what could have been a third-generation military career, leading him instead to the walls of homes across India, where he began sketching as a child, and later to hostels at IIT (BHU), Varanasi, and IIM Calcutta. From early on, his self-taught artistry stood apart—uninfluenced by formal training, it remains raw, original, and strikingly free from conventional boundaries.

Varun’s work is deeply intertwined with his passions. His explorations in spirituality, surfing, and adventure sports fuel his imagination, inspiring bold and emotive visual expressions. This energy has been captured in his recent solo exhibition of 32 works at the Goa Jazz Festival 2023, where his art resonated with viewers seeking deeper, evocative experiences.

Blending oils and acrylics, Varun’s paintings break traditional norms, aiming to stir profound emotions. His spontaneous brushstrokes and layered textures reveal a sense of freedom and movement, often mirroring his personal spiritual and adventurous quests. His first formal painting emerged in Hong Kong in 2008, depicting his unique perspective of China. A pivotal moment in his artistic journey came a year later, during the "Night of the Starry Sky" exhibition in Amsterdam, where Van Gogh’s night scenes captivated him. This experience ignited a spark, prompting him to embrace painting with newfound vigor.

Varun’s works are not just images on a canvas—they are windows into a world driven by a passion for life, exploration, and self-discovery. Through his art, he invites viewers to transcend the surface and connect with something deeper within themselves.

Despite a detour into the academic and corporate worlds - earning a degree from IIT and an MBA from IIM Calcutta - he never truly left behind his artistic inclinations. His first true dive into painting came in 2009, at an event in Hong Kong, which sparked a desire to explore art more seriously. That same year, he found himself in The Netherlands, where he experienced the brilliance of Van Gogh's "night" works, a moment that left an indelible mark on his journey as an artist.

After years in the banking industry and grappling with existential questions about life and meaning, he turned back to painting as a way to seek clarity and expression. Art became his sanctuary once more, and with the encouragement of a dear person in 2022, he returned to his practice with renewed passion.

Since February 2024, he has devoted himself entirely to art, primarily working with oil and acrylic on canvas. His work is an exploration of the self, influenced by the absurdities and mysteries of existence. Each piece he creates is a reflection of the questions and answers he has encountered along his path.

He has had the privilege of exhibiting at the Goa Jazz Festival in 2023 as a solo visual artist, followed by a solo show at the Shri Ram Centre for Arts and Culture in New Delhi. Currently, he is working on a series for an esteemed gallery in New Delhi, and looks forward to continuing this journey of discovery through art.

1. Landscape - The mountains of the mist. 
2. Abstract - The eye. 
3. Abstract - The pyramid.
4. Spiritual - Lord Ganesha.
5. Landscape - Sunlit.
6. Abstract - Cat under a lamp.
7. Series - Charcoal and ink on paper.
8. Series - Hadimba's blessings.
9. Series - The wave.
10. Series - A series of fortunate events. 

 

Not showcased yet but complete:

1. Big - Oil on canvas, 10 ft x 6 ft
2. Small - Oil on canvas, 6 ft x 6 ft