About

Ikranrin J. Makan is a Symbolic Figurative artist working primarily in oil painting on linen and wood panel, known for a distinct visual language that fuses Byzantine-inspired colors with stylistic elements of Rajput art and Early Renaissance art. Based in Ottawa, Canada. Makan’s artistic journey is informed by philosophical inquiry, having completed a Master of Arts in Philosophy at Saint Mary's University on a full scholarship and being awarded 'The Marshall Award for Excellence in a Masters Philosophy Dissertation Award'.

Before fully embarking on his artistic practice, Makan spent 5+ years leading design teams at multiple tech startups and advising early stage startups.

Makan’s work is rooted in philosophical and sacred symbolism, drawing from many religious traditions to explore spiritual transformation and the meaning crisis plaguing modern society. His compositions are characterized by recurring motifs like the numerical three, geometric shapes, memento more, and cultural objects from his Tangkhul cultural heritage. These symbols serve as metaphors for existential journeys, calling viewers to remember their mortality and reflect on the transient nature of life. In his current series, Transcendence, Makan delves into the process of ego death and the realization of the oneness of reality, offering a contemplative experience that blends art with spiritual awakening.

Influenced by Byzantine sacred art and the Renaissance masters Fra Angelico, Jan van Eyck, and Botticelli, Ikranrin Makan’s work integrates gold leaf to evoke a sense of the eternal and divine light. His glazing techniques create layers of luminosity, rendering scenes with a meditative depth. Like van Eyck, Makan pays meticulous attention to detail and realism in texture, using fine brushwork to capture symbolic elements that invite contemplation. Inspired by Botticelli’s gentle forms and Fra Angelico’s serene compositions, Makan’s figures appear almost ethereal, set against backgrounds that glow with rich yellows, burnt sienna, cobalt blue, cadmium red, and green. Makan’s work has been exhibited in Renaissance Gallery (Bengaluru, India) with his Transcendence series standing as a significant contribution to contemporary sacred art.