Surjit Akre
Taran Tarn, Punjab
Born in 1954 in Taran Tarn, Punjab, Surjit Akre is a distinguished Indian artist whose practice bridges Indian aesthetics with the discipline of Russian academic realism. She received her postgraduate degree in Easel Painting from the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg State Academic Institute for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (Repin Institute), one of the most renowned art institutions in Russia.
Over the decades, Akre has developed a powerful visual language rooted in figuration yet rich with emotional and psychological depth. Her canvases often reflect recurring themes such as Mother and Child, War and Peace, Shringar, and Prakriti, revealing a deep engagement with human relationships, femininity, and the spiritual essence of nature. Working across oil, acrylic, and watercolor, she combines classical precision with contemporary sensitivity, resulting in works that are both intimate and universal.Beyond her studio practice, Akre has made significant contributions to cultural exchange between India and Russia. As the former Head of the Exhibition Department at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture, New Delhi, she curated numerous Indo-Russian art collaborations and founded the Indo-Russian Roerich’s Art Club, fostering cross-cultural dialogue through art.
Her achievements have been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious Pushkin Medal and international Roerich Awards. Akre’s works have been showcased in solo and group exhibitions across India and abroad, and are part of esteemed private and institutional collections. She continues to live and work in New Delhi, nurturing artistic expression that transcends borders and time.
