Birender Yadav’s multidisciplinary practice — encompassing painting, sculpture, and photography — draws deeply from his early experiences as the son of a blacksmith working in a coal mine. His work interrogates class, identity, and the socio-political power structures that shape contemporary life. Through an exploration of language, labor, and migration, Yadav reflects on personal narratives and collective histories embedded within these themes.

Recent exhibitions include the Lahore Biennale, curated by John Tain (Lahore, 2024); Indian Ceramics Triennial, Common Ground (New Delhi, 2024); Reunione – A Semblance of History, Precursors of a Modern World, Citadel (Cairo, 2023); the 12th Berlin Biennale, curated by Kader Attia (Berlin, 2022); and the 13th Bamako Encounters – African Biennale of Photography, curated by Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung (Bamako, 2022).

Yadav has also participated in Ways of Seeing, curated by Hans Carlsson (Lundskonsthall, Sweden, 2023); Scratch Beneath the Surface, Vida Heydari Contemporary (Pune, 2023); Rivers and Road: Meandering Stories of India, AAIE Center for Contemporary Art, Roma (2022); and Dismantling Aesthetics of Inhibition, Gallery OED, Kochi (2022); among others. His solo exhibition Idhar-Udhar (Here-There) was held at Clark House Initiative, Mumbai (2017).

The artist has been awarded numerous grants and residencies, including the Pro Helvetia Research Residency (Switzerland, 2024); Arts Exploration Grant, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA, 2022); India Residency at Darling Foundry, Montreal, supported by Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation and TATA Steel (2019); Pro Helvetia Studio Residency, Zurich (2018); and Young Artist Scholarships in Painting by the Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development (2013–2015).

He holds a B.A. in Fine Art from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (2013); and an M.F.A. from the College of Arts, New Delhi (2015).

The artist lives and works in New Delhi.