Raqib Shaw was born in Kolkata, India, and is based in London. He is known for his opulent and intricate paintings of imagined paradises, inlaid with vibrantly coloured jewels and enamel. His early training and formation were influenced by his exposure to both Eastern and Western art traditions, which he synthesizes in his work.

Shaw's signature works are richly detailed compositions that evoke Old Masters like Holbein and Bosch while drawing on mythology, religion, poetry, literature, art history, textiles, and decorative arts. He creates his paintings by drawing enamel with porcupine quills, building intricately layered compositions. His themes often explore imagined paradises, moonlight, and environmental destruction, as seen in works like 'The Pragmatic Pessimist' (2024).

Recent coverage on The Cultural Signal highlights Shaw's first UK solo exhibition since 2015 at Thaddaeus Ropac London and Compton Verney, titled 'Night Sonnets'. The show features a cycle of nocturnal paintings and a large Jacquard tapestry, reflecting his ongoing exploration of night conditions and memory.