Photo Courtesy: ukhrultimes
Agartala: Radha Binod Sharma, a London-based artist and founder of the IMA Foundation, has been selected as an ambassador for the 2026 The People’s Artist campaign. This humanitarian initiative is presented by Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and supports The Art of Elysium, a U.S.-based organization that provides arts programming to hospitals, schools, and unhoused communities.
Born in 1964 in Kamalpur, Tripura, Sharma’s rise to international prominence follows a career dedicated to curating and preserving indigenous and contemporary arts. His appointment comes shortly after he received the London Award of Excellence 2025 from the United Nations Global Peace Council at the House of Lords. The award honored his work in upholding traditional and endangered artistic practices.
Reflecting on his mission to increase public access to creative works, Sharma noted the necessity of prioritizing cultural heritage. He stated, "For any civilisation our cultural roots are very important. Fine arts are for the public and not just to be secreted away in the galleries, private collections and museums. Fine arts have been missing for a long time whilst music, dance, sports, fashion and food is highlighted everywhere."
Sharma’s artistic path began with studies at Viswa-Bharati University and M S University, Baroda, eventually leading him to London. In 2008, he established the IMA Foundation to cultivate talent and support endangered art forms globally. The organization has since launched numerous community projects, including workshops for indigenous children in Tripura and art programs for women in Bihar. His efforts have previously gained international recognition, such as representing Indian artistic traditions at the 2017 UNESCO World Humanities Conference in Belgium.
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