(b. 1970)
G.R. Iranna acquired his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the College of Visual Art, in Gulbarga in 1992. Two years later, he completed his Master’s degree in painting from the College of Art, New Delhi. Between 1999 and 2000 he acted as artist-in-residence at Wimbledon School of Art, London. Iranna’s first one-man show was held in 1992 at the College of Visual Art, Gulbarga. Since then, he has shown at: Delhi Art Gallery and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai in 1995; Gallery Espace, New Delhi in 1998; ‘In the Shadow of Buddha’ at Gallery Martini, Hong Kong in 1999; Wimbledon School of Art, London in 2000; Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, Cairo in 2000 and The British Council & The Guild Art Gallery in 2001. Iranna has also participated in several group shows including at the Chitra Kala Parishad, Bangalore in 1990; Schoo’s Gallery, Amsterdam, Holland in 1995; Vedanta Art Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A. in 1998; ‘Icons of the Millennium’ at Gallery Lakeeren, Mumbai in 1999 and ‘Black & White’ at Art Today, New Delhi in 2000. Iranna has received national and international recognition throughout his career. His awards include those at the All India Exhibition in Mysore and the College of Visual Art, New Delhi in 1991-92, the Bansi Parmimu Memorial Committee, New Delhi and the Delhi College of Art in 1993. In the same year, he won the M.F. Husain and Ram Kumar selection award at ‘In Search of Talent’ by Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi. He has also been honoured in 1997 with a National Award from the Lalit Kala Academy and the AIFACS Award, at the show ‘50 years of Art in independent India’ in New Delhi.