Aaradhya Sunder, a 12-year-old artist based in Singapore with roots in India, was named a winner of the 7th Arts Olympiad by the International Child Art Foundation. According to a press release, Sunder received a Certificate of Exceptional Artistic Accomplishment at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., recognizing her contribution to the 7th World Children’s Festival held at the National Mall. The certificate was signed by International Child Art Foundation Founder and Chairman Dr. Ashfaq M. Ishaq.
An Exploration of Art and Athletics
Sunder presented her work, The Artist-Athlete, an acrylic on canvas piece that argues children should not have to choose between creativity and athletic discipline or be defined by a single talent. The festival coincided with the national children’s celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.
The artwork features a pale palette on the upper portion of the canvas divided by a vertical gold line and horizontal bands, with a basketball hoop drawn in a thin red outline alongside figures holding a ball and a paintbrush.
“I did not want to show art and sport as separate,” said Aaradhya, an athlete who participates in multiple sports alongside her visual art.
Dr. Ishaq conducted an Artistic and Developmental Appraisal of the painting during the festival. He read the basketball in the piece as a symbol of movement, concentration, perseverance, and practice.
“What distinguishes Aaradhya is not merely her ability to make art, but her emerging capacity to use art as a means of thought,” Ishaq wrote. He recommended that Sunder continue exploring anatomy, proportion, and movement across different media and athletic forms.
Following the festival, Sunder appeared in an interview on Good Morning Washington on WJLA/ABC7 to discuss her creative process and present her work.
Global Recognition and International Exhibitions
The Washington ceremony is part of a series of global milestones for the young artist. Her works were previously selected by the jury of the Salon des Artistes Français for presentation at Art Capital at the Grand Palais in Paris through Galerie Linda Farrell. Alain Bazard, president of the section covering painting and works on paper at the Société des Artistes Français, reviewed her work in writing.
Reflecting on her self-portrait The Girl Who Paints Her Soul, Bazard noted her technical maturity.
“In this work, the young artist takes on a subject usually reserved for established artists, given the difficulties it entails,” Bazard wrote.
Sunder has created more than 200 original works spanning painting, drawing, mixed media, and claymation. Her achievements include displaying six claymation works at the Gallery Children’s Biennale at National Gallery Singapore, receiving laureate honors at an international children’s art exhibition in Beijing, and presenting at three TEDx-linked art exhibitions.
Indian Roots and Cross-Continental Training
Sunder’s artistic journey highlights strong ties to the South Asian diaspora. Her early foundation included school learning at both the German School and American School in Delhi, accompanied by foundational mentorship under Dipti Karki in Delhi.
After moving to Singapore, she pursued studio instruction at Little Artists Art Studio under Shalini Kapoor, alongside programs connected to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and MoMA online children’s courses.
In his recommendation, Ishaq stated that Sunder merits consideration for curated youth exhibitions, museum education programs, and international mentorship. He encouraged curators and cultural institutions to support young artists in developing depth, independence, and a sustained artistic voice.
This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.
