Manik Raj Nakra

Through bold, contemporary applications of paint, woodblock printing, collage, ceramic stucco, and mixed media, Manik Raj Nakra (b. 1982) fuses Indian iconography, colonial relics, and mythological motifs to explore civilization’s enduring relationships with power, ritual, desire, and transformation. From his early series The Tigering!, an expansive collection of over 150 works on paper depicting India’s historical tiger attacks, to his monumental 42ft x 102ft mural reinterpreting the Greek myth of Icarus, Nakra has become known for his dynamic compositions—where striking colors and intricate patterns collide to examine our animal instincts and reconnect modern life with the natural world.

Over the past decade, Nakra’s work has been showcased in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Texas and California, including at The University of Texas, The Contemporary Museum Austin, and the Chinese Historical Society of America (San Francisco, CA). His work has been recognized in publications like Oxford American, Cosmopolitan India, New American Paintings, and ARTnews; and a client list that includes The LINE Hotel, Facebook, Urban Outfitters to name a few. In 2023, he was the fourth artist commissioned to paint the facade of The Contemporary Austin—Jones Center, joining a legacy of renowned international artists: Deborah Roberts, Daniel Johnston and Jenny Holzer. This large-scale public work is on display in downtown Austin through Winter 2026. In Spring 2025, Manik Raj Nakra was named head curator of the Cage Match Project. An outdoor gallery housed inside a 20ft x 8ft x 7ft industrial steel cage in Austin, Texas. In 2027, Manik will be unveiling a permanent 9ft x 29ft mosaic wall of his design at The Loren Hotel in Turks & Caicos. He currently lives and works in Austin, TX.