Asit Kumar Patnaik is a prominent Indian contemporary figurative painter whose practice explores the human psyche, emotions and interpersonal relationships. Born in Odisha in 1968, he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Government College of Art and Crafts, Khallikote, and went on to earn his MFA in Painting from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, where he was a gold medallist.

Patnaik is particularly recognised for his semi-realistic figures, often depicting male and female forms in intimate, open-ended postures. His paintings use body language, colour, skin textures and layered backgrounds to communicate complex emotional states and the subtle dynamics of human relationships. His figures frequently appear against textured, abstract environments, creating a dialogue between the recognisable human form and an atmospheric, almost surreal space.

His artistic practice has been presented in more than 40 solo and group exhibitions in India and internationally, with exhibitions including Jehangir Art Gallery, World Art Dubai, Art Hamptons New York and the Florence Biennale. Some sources document an even broader exhibition history of over 100 group shows and 25 solo exhibitions.

Title- The Word Within
Medium- Acrylic and oil on canvas
size – 40″ x 34″