Avani Rao Gandra acquired her Ph. D. ( Contemporary Andhra Painting) from Osmania University. She has worked as an art critic for Indian Express and contributed articles to magazines like Marg, Art India, Art Deal Indian Art Journal. She is a recipient of the ATSA fellowship from Goethe Zentrum and British Council. She is also the founder of ICONART Contemporary Art Gallery). From 2009 to present, she has conducted around 70 art shows and workshops and curated 27 Art shows on painting, printmaking, sculpture, new media and installations. She started the ICONART Artist in Residency in 2011, providing studio space for artists to work and participate in workshops. As an artist and photographer, she has participated in solo and group shows. Avani lives and works in Hyderabad.