Avani Rao Gandra, artist and photographer, is the Founder of ICONART, a contemporary art gallery based in Hyderabad. Since 2009 she has conducted over 70 art shows and workshops, and curated 27 art shows on painting, printmaking, sculpture, new media and installations. Rao Gandra started the ICONART Artist in Residency program in 2011, providing studio spaces for artists to work and participate in workshops. Furthermore, she has worked as an art critic for The Indian Express and contributed articles to magazines like Marg, Art India, Art & Deal, etc. Rao Gandra holds a PhD in Contemporary Andhra Painting from Osmania University.