Rekha Rao (b. 1947, Mumbai) is a pioneering contemporary Indian artist celebrated for her introspective, symbolically layered abstract paintings. Introduced to art at an early age by her father, the renowned painter K.K. Hebbar, she developed an expressive and emotionally resonant visual language that privileges meaning and metaphor over literal representation.

Rao works mainly with oil and acrylic, building complex layers of color, texture, and form that draw viewers into deeply immersive visual experiences. Her palette shifts seamlessly—from muted, earthy tones to bold, luminous hues—depending on the emotional register of the work. Eschewing realism, she draws on symbolic imagery—suggestive figures, animal forms, geometric motifs, and gestural marks—inviting viewers into a space of contemplation and self-reflection.

Rao’s career spans over five decades, beginning with her first solo exhibition in Mumbai in 1969. Since then, she has showcased her works in New Delhi, Los Angeles, Germany, Australia, and beyond. Over the years, she has received several distinguished honors, including the Critics’ Award (1971), the Lalit Kala Akademi Award (1977), the Maharashtra State Award (1978), and consecutive prizes from the Hyderabad Art Society. Her paintings are part of prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Modern Art (New Delhi), Lalit Kala Akademi, and the Singapore National Museum.She has represented India on major international stages, notably the IV Triennale India (1978) and the Asian Biennale in Dhaka (1986).

Now based in Mumbai, Rekha Rao continues to create works that merge emotional depth, philosophical inquiry, and poetic abstraction—affirming her place as a significant and enduring voice in modern and contemporary Indian art.