Biography of Madhu Kumar![]()
Madhu Kumar is a Canadian artist whose work uses the power of art and storytelling to connect, empower, and give voice to immigrant women. Working in painting and digital media, Kumar’s practice creates respectful, immersive spaces where personal migration stories unfold through large-scale portraits, text, audio, and augmented reality.
Born in India, Kumar earned her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees before emigrating to Canada in 2001 with her young family. After raising her children, she pursued her passion for art, completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Great Distinction from the University of Regina in 2017.
Her acclaimed ongoing series, Stories of Immigrant Women, has toured across Saskatchewan, inspiring dialogue and community reflection on themes of migration, resilience, racism, and belonging. A CBC-produced documentary about this body of work was nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival and for the Digital Printing Awards in 2020.
Kumar’s contributions to Canadian art and community have been recognized with the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Arts and Culture (2020). She has exhibited internationally, with her artwork held in public and private collections in Canada, the USA, Great Britain, and India, including the University of Regina and the Saskatchewan Arts Board.
Beyond her studio practice, Kumar teaches art and continues to serve as a dedicated community volunteer. Her collaborative work includes assisting artist David Garneau on the Tawatina Bridge installation project in Edmonton. Through her art, Kumar continues to celebrate resilience, identity, and the power of shared human experience.