July 08 2026
Abhay Sehgal: The contemporary artist creating for celebrities, global brands and art collectors
(Jul 8, 2026) Educated at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, contemporary artist and entrepreneur Abhay Sehgal has gone on to exhibit in galleries in India, USA and Dubai, create commissioned works for celebrities like actor Ranbir Kapoor, and collaborate with global brands like Prada, Coca-Cola and Tata Cliq, all while reimagining Indian culture through surreal art. He is also the founder of CodeBrwn, a clothing label taking art into everyday life.
Most of Abhay Sehgal’s works begin with a triggering thought, an incident, or even a fleeting visual that has stayed with him for long. What fascinates him most is how one moment can unlock hundreds of interconnected thoughts and emotions that he was not consciously aware of.
The process then becomes an attempt to capture that emotional web through imagery. Sometimes it’s inspired by everyday spaces, a movie scene, a conversation, or even a feeling he can’t fully explain. That’s what gives Abhay’s work its emotional and cinematic quality — one that resonates with audiences across cultures.
“My work isn’t about a single moment, but everything that moment awakens within you,” tells Abhay Sehgal, the Delhi-based contemporary artist known for his surrealist interpretations of Indian culture and psychology, in a chat with The Global Indian.
A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Abhay brings his unique artistic vision to life through paintings, illustrations, and animations. His work explores themes of fear and fantasy, creating immersive experiences that challenge perceptions and bring surrealism into reality.
Showcasing Indian imagination on global platforms
His work has been showcased internationally, including at Carousel Fine Art and David Rosen Gallery in Miami, the New York Art Fair, and Dubai Art Expo.
With a deep-rooted connection to Indian heritage and global artistic influences, Abhay’s art captivates audiences by blending dreamlike imagery with thought-provoking narratives. His creations invite viewers to engage with the subconscious, revealing the interplay between nature, imagination, and human emotion.
His work exists at the intersection of art, space, and emotion. Known for his layered compositions and contemporary visual language, his pieces are designed not just to be seen but to be experienced within a space. From collectible prints to large-scale installations, each work reflects a balance of structure, abstraction, and intent.
Each exhibition is designed as an experience where artwork interacts with architecture, movement, light, and audience.
Abhay Sehgal
He feels these spaces allow the work to evolve beyond the frame, becoming part of a larger visual and emotional narrative. Gallery exhibitions haven’t been his only outlet for creating art; he has also built a significant following on social media.
Building immersive art experiences
In his journey of artistic exploration, collaboration, and creative excellence, Abhay has curated over 150 projects, including art installations and design projects delivered across residential and commercial spaces.
He has created over 500 artworks, with original pieces thoughtfully crafted to complement diverse interiors and lifestyles. Every project is tailored with a completely bespoke approach.
From private residences to collaborative environments, every installation is created with spatial harmony and presence in mind.
Abhay Sehgal
From Ranbir Kapoor to Prada
The artist’s journey also includes high-profile commissions for celebrities such as Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor and James Beard-nominated chef Sujan Sarkar for his new restaurant in the US, private collectors, besides collaborations with major brands like Coca-Cola, Prada, and Tata Cliq.
Abhay Sehgal with actor Ranbir Kapoor
Recalling his association with Ranbir Kapoor, Abhay says one day, he received an email saying the actor admired his work and wanted to meet him. “Initially, I thought it was a scam. But it turned out to be real — Ranbir Kapoor invited me to his house for lunch. We talked for an hour about art, acting, and craft,” smiles Abhay, describing it as a surreal experience and one of the highlights of his journey.
Chicago shaped his artistic voice
The artist says coming from an all-boys boarding school, studying at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) was an amazing experience. “It was a big cultural shift because it had all the artsy people and I was the least artsy student.”
He says SAIC pushed him into creating original work. “That was one of the turning points of my journey. Finding our own style is tough and takes practice, something that SAIC taught me.”
The institution also shaped how he thinks about art. “I think critiquing art is very important and it does make you understand the art in a conceptual way,” says Abhay, who switched courses four times—from graphic design to animation, then VFX, before finally settling on fine arts.
Fear and fantasy: The recurring themes
Abhay says the themes of fear and fantasy have remained with him since childhood. “Psychologically, when you have certain fears in mind, the subconscious mind always manifests what you’re trying to do in your actual life and you won’t even be aware of it,” he remarks.
Growing up between business and boarding schools
Coming from a business family based in Jalandhar, Punjab, Abhay studied in boarding schools from the age of five. He attended Hillgrange Preparatory School in Dehradun before moving to St. George’s College, Mussoorie, in Class IV. He later completed Class XII at Pathways World School, Gurgaon. “I was always passionate about sports. Art was more like a hobby for me. Honestly, academics was never my focus.”
In 2016, he left for the US to pursue a four-year programme at SAIC.
How the pandemic changed everything
Abhay says COVID was the turning point that pushed him towards becoming a full-time artist. “COVID was the time when I was self-reflecting and trying to do what I did best and enjoy myself. That’s how art happened,” says the artist, whose course of life changed while he was stranded in Chicago during the pandemic.
Reflecting on his journey, he says he has experienced his share of ups and downs. “Life has been the biggest inspiration for my work.”
Beyond the canvas: CodeBrwn
“As an artist, I don’t have a routine,” says Abhay, whose day often begins with meetings around CodeBrwn, his clothing label. In 2023, he launched the clothing label born from the simple idea of taking art off the wall and into everyday life. “The brand made its first major public appearance at Comic Con India, where it found resonance with a new generation of culturally curious audiences who wanted to wear stories, not just consume them,” he says.
Calling himself a “brown artist”, he believes India’s heritage deserves a stronger place in global streetwear. “But embracing our ethnicity via streetwear is something I was very keen on.” He says CodeBrwn is more than a clothing line; it is an interpretation that creates a beautiful hybrid across cultural boundaries.
“Different countries embrace their roots and portray what they feel about streetwear, be it Korean, Japanese, or American. It’s time we set ours,” says the artist, adding that CodeBrwn blends Indian nostalgia with contemporary culture.
Fitness as a daily discipline
Abhay is a self-confessed gym enthusiast. “For me, gym is a necessity,” he says, adding that he also walks for an hour every night to complete his daily target of 10,000 steps.
ALSO READ: Mahesh M. Karambele: From Mumbai’s chawl to art platforms in more than 12 countries
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