Kahini Arte-Merchant is a distinguished Indian contemporary artist whose paintings explore memory, identity, dreams and the inner dimensions of human experience. Born in New Delhi in 1960 and raised and educated largely in England, she studied Interior Design at the Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai, graduating with First Class honours in 1979.

Although she was not formally trained in fine arts, painting became the central focus of her artistic journey. Her works often feature female protagonists and symbolic imagery, reflecting themes of transformation, self-discovery and the evolving nature of identity. Her notable bodies of work include the Metamorphosis, Transience and R.E.M. series, through which she explores memory, dreams and the subconscious.

Merchant has held several solo exhibitions at prominent venues including Taj Art Gallery, Cymroza Art Gallery and Jehangir Art Gallery, and has participated in numerous group exhibitions in India and internationally. Her works have also appeared in auctions by major houses including Christie’s and Sotheby’s, and are held in private and institutional collections internationally. She currently lives and works in Mumbai.

Title- Dream of venus 2
Medium – Acrylic on canvas
Size- 36″ x 36″