Yashwant Deshmukh, born in Akola, Maharashtra, in 1963, is a contemporary artist whose work explores the metaphysics of space and form. A graduate of the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, he often uses a subdued palette dominated by grey tones to evoke stillness and the interplay of negative space. Deshmukh’s acrylic-on-canvas works feature transparency and layered permanence, with everyday objects like buckets or funnels serving as protagonists that interact with their spatial surroundings. His artistic practice delves into the invisible planes formed by these objects and the surrounding negative space, crafting compositions that emphasise the essence of form and its connection to space.
Deshmukh’s career spans decades, with milestones such as the Bendre-Husain Scholarship (1993) and participation in the 3rd Biennial by Bose Pacia Modern, New York (2001). His notable solo exhibitions include "Regarding the Cone" and "Circling the Mountain of Light" in Mumbai (2008), and "Maverick of Inert" in New Delhi (2007). His work has also been showcased in numerous group exhibitions across India and internationally, including Tokyo, Bangkok, and New York. He currently lives and works in Mumbai.