Ajay De, born in 1967 in Kolkata, is an accomplished artist who studied at the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata, and completed his post-graduation at Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai. His first solo show in Kolkata and a group exhibition in Delhi marked the beginning of his artistic career. Inspired by the stark black-and-white paintings of Japanese masters and calligraphy, In 1998, De held a successful exhibition in Tokyo, which helped establish his international presence. He has since showcased his work in solo exhibitions in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Tokyo, and participated in group shows in New York, Dubai, and New Delhi. Over time, De expanded his artistic practice, experimenting with acrylics and incorporating color into his charcoal works, notably using red in his Ganesha series and blue in his Mother Teresa series. His work has evolved to reflect deeper intimacy and expression, solidifying his place in contemporary art.