Oinam Dilip is a compelling contemporary artist whose practice is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape and vibrant community of his native North East India. Born in Bishenpur, Manipur, Dilip’s rigorous training included studies at the Indira Sangeet Viswa Vidyalaya before he graduated from the Delhi College of Art.
Though his early artistic years were spent experimenting with abstract and realist forms inspired by South Asia’s bustling metropolitan centers, Dilip eventually felt a profound pull toward home. He underwent a deliberate artistic shift, determined to freely portray the culture and distinct ethos of North East India as he intrinsically understands it. His work is now inspired by the region's archetypal images, natural surroundings, and tangible cultural objects.
Currently based in New Delhi, Dilip is highly sought after for his powerful, large-scale portraits. His subjects—drawn primarily from the people of North East India and global icons —are rendered with honesty and simplicity, often consuming the canvas. His signature style achieves a complex balance, setting the realism of the figure against a gorgeous, multi-layered abstract backdrop—a fusion of vibrant colours, lines, and profound human feeling. Dilip is an award-winning artist with an extensive history of solo and group exhibitions.
