.png)
International Art Carnival 2026 Introduces Prabhnoor Kaur, a Young Artist to Watch
- Style Essentials Edit Team
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
At the International Art Carnival 2026, where more than 800 national and international artists will present their work at Lalit Kala Akademi, one of the youngest exhibitors is already drawing attention. At just 18, Prabhnoor Kaur steps into her first exhibition of this scale, marking a quiet but significant moment in her early artistic journey.
In conversation with Shweta of Style Essentials, Prabhnoor describes her participation in the International Art Carnival as a turning point rather than a milestone. For her, it signals a move from structured learning into public participation, from absorbing knowledge to entering a wider artistic dialogue, and confirms that her work can live beyond classrooms and academic evaluation.
Currently pursuing a Super Professional Diploma in Fine Arts at Delhi College of Art, Prabhnoor belongs to a generation often encouraged to choose certainty over curiosity. Careers in medicine, engineering, or digital influence are widely positioned as safer options. Art, she admits, was never initially framed as a serious choice. It was something she loved, but not something she believed she was allowed to commit to fully.
That belief changed through practice. The more she worked, the more she realised that art was not about approval or external reward. It was something she returned to instinctively. In her words, art is not always a profession in the conventional sense, but a way of living. From music and cinema to architecture and fashion, she sees creativity shaping everyday experience. The uncertainty of art, rather than discouraging her, became part of its meaning.
Choosing this path required confronting doubt. Not dramatic opposition, but persistent, practical questioning. Why not choose something safer? Why accept unpredictability so early? For Prabhnoor, answering those questions strengthened her resolve. As her skills developed and support followed, confidence replaced hesitation.
Her family background played a quiet but important role. Her father, a former hockey player, embodied discipline, repetition, and mental endurance. While she never felt pressure to pursue sports, she recognises strong parallels between the two worlds. Like athletics, art demands consistency, patience, and the ability to continue even when progress feels invisible. She often works in long, uninterrupted stretches, focusing for five to six hours at a time, a rhythm shaped by discipline rather than inspiration alone.
Her journey into art deepened during the COVID-19 lockdown. Naturally introverted, she found isolation pushing her inward. Art became a refuge, but also a routine. What began as experimentation slowly turned into a constant presence. Creating was no longer occasional; it became the way she chose to spend her time.
As she prepares for her debut at the International Art Carnival 2026, Prabhnoor speaks more about curiosity than pressure. She does not see herself as representing a generation or aligning with contemporary digital trends. In fact, she is drawn toward traditional and older styles, preferring depth and process over immediacy. The exhibition, for her, is an opportunity to observe, learn, and remain honest in how she works.
Uncertainty, she believes, is unavoidable in art. Stability may offer comfort, but at the cost of curiosity, it can drain meaning. Art, for her, is a long journey, one that grows slowly through repetition, questioning, and sustained practice.
Support plays a crucial role at this stage. Friends, mentors, and family create an environment that allows her to continue without fear of failure. When asked what advice she would give to someone her age drawn to art but unsure about choosing it seriously, her response remains grounded: practice consistently, allow yourself to make mistakes, surround yourself with people who support you, and keep creating even when motivation fades.
At the International Art Carnival 2026, amid a vast and diverse field of artists, Prabhnoor Kaur represents a young voice choosing commitment over certainty. It is early days, but it is precisely this moment of transition that makes her an artist to watch.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition: International Art Carnival 2026
Venue: Lalit Kala Akademi, Mandi House, New Delhi
Dates: 13–18 January 2026
You May Also Like