Tanya Ling is an Indian-born British artist, designer, and fashion illustrator, renowned for her distinct and vibrant artistic contributions to the fashion and art industries. Born in Calcutta in 1966, she spent her formative years in various international locales including America and Africa, before pursuing higher education in art and design. Ling graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London in 1989.
After her graduation, Ling moved to Paris where she initially worked as a designer in the studio of high-profile fashion houses like Christian Lacroix. She later returned to London, where she, along with her husband William Ling, founded the contemporary art gallery Bipasha Ghosh in the early 1990s. Her career as a fashion illustrator took off after her first exhibition of drawings in 1996, which earned her commissions from prestigious publications like British Vogue.
Throughout her career, Ling has contributed to various international fashion magazines and luxury brands, including Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Louis Vuitton, and Selfridges. She launched her own ready-to-wear collection in 2002, which was featured in the windows of Henri Bendel on New York's Fifth Avenue.
Her artworks, including line paintings and drawings, have been widely exhibited and collected. Notably, over 50 of her works were acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2011. In the more recent phase of her career, Ling's art practice has evolved with a focus on abstract line paintings that explore the dynamics of form and color. These works have been exhibited in prestigious venues worldwide, including Harper's in New York and The Mayor Gallery in London. Additionally, Ling's significant contributions to contemporary art have been recognized by Damien Hirst, who included her works in his Murderme collection.