Tripura-born artist Radha Binod Sharma has been named a Global Arts Ambassador in the 2026 The People’s Artist campaign by The Art of Elysium, a nonprofit supported by Johnny Depp. The recognition highlights Sharma’s international artistic influence, cultural bridge-building work, and commitment to art-driven social impact.
Radha Binod Sharma, the internationally acclaimed artist originally from Kamalpur in Tripura, has been selected for the prestigious 2026 The People’s Artist campaign and appointed as a Global Arts Ambassador for The Art of Elysium, a prominent non-profit arts organisation supported by Hollywood actor Johnny Depp.
The announcement marks another major international recognition for Sharma, whose career has spanned more than three decades and whose work has been exhibited across multiple countries. The 2026 campaign honours artists whose creative practice advances compassion, innovation, and social impact through art.
In his ambassadorial role, Sharma is expected to support The Art of Elysium’s “Art Heals” mission, which seeks to bring artistic engagement into children’s hospitals, elder-care homes, special-needs schools, homeless shelters, and underserved communities around the world. The organisation said the campaign highlights artists who inspire people to view creativity as a force for empathy, healing, and positive social change.
Sharma’s rise to global recognition began with the Kanoria Studio Fellowship in 1991, followed by the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant in 1992. A major turning point came in 1994 when he received the Charles Wallace Trust Grant and completed a year-long residency at Delfina Studios in London, after which he made the United Kingdom his base.
Over the years, Sharma’s works have been displayed internationally and have appeared in auctions conducted by major houses including Sotheby’s, Roseberys, and Osian’s. His practice is widely noted for blending contemporary artistic exploration with themes rooted in cultural identity and human connection.
Beyond painting and exhibitions, Sharma has also worked extensively in cultural outreach. In 2009, he founded the India-UK Arts and Media Foundation to encourage artistic collaboration, cultural exchange, and community-oriented initiatives between the two countries. In 2025, he received the London Award of Excellence at the House of Lords for contributions to art, mentorship, and international cultural engagement.
The latest honour has been welcomed in Tripura as a significant moment for the state’s artistic community. Observers say Sharma’s appointment demonstrates the growing international visibility of artists from the Northeast and reinforces his role as a cultural bridge connecting India with global creative networks.
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For many in Tripura, Sharma’s selection as a Global Arts Ambassador is not only a personal achievement but also a reminder that artists from the region can influence conversations on culture, empathy, and social change on an international stage.
