BIO-DATA-Surjit Akre has been painting for more than 30 years.                                                                                                                                

 She was born in Taran Tarn, Punjab, India. She is the first Indian Artist who has

 achieved a Post- Graduate Degree in easel painting, from Russia, Academy of

 Fine Arts, Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture & Architecture, Decorated with

 the Order of the Red Banner of Labour in St. Petersburg. Surjit has held

 over 52 solo painting exhibitions in India, Russia, USA, Canada & has participated

 in numerous National & International exhibitions & Artist camps. She works in oil,

 acrylic, water colour, pastel, Ink & pencil drawings. Her works feature in several

 public & private collections in India & abroad. Her works have been auctioned

 by International auctioneers. In addition to being a professional artist, Surjit has

 extensively  lectured at innumerable art colleges & museums, both in India &

 abroad on contemporary art forms. Surjit is also an advisor to many

 government & private bodies. She is the Founder President of  Indo-Russian

 Roerich's Art Society affiliated to the Russian Centre of Science & Culture,

 New Delhi.Since1986 she is organising & curating exhibitions of  Indian & Russian Artists

 Several of  Surjit’s works have been donated to charities in India. A professional Artist

 to the core, she has served on different juries & won several awards , prizes and honours.

 including senior and junior fellowship as outstanding artist from the Govt. of India,

 Ministry of  H.R.D, Dept. of Culture New Delhi, from 1989-1991 and 1996-1998.

 AIFACS President of  India's silver plaque and Dr. M.S. Randhawa memorial cash award

 in 1990. In 1987 Sahitya Kala Parishad award. In 1985 she was awarded highly commended

 at the Annual Post Graduate works exhibition in St.Petersburg , Russia. In 2008 she was

 awarded Friendship Medal from the Russian Centre for Scientific and Cultural Cooperation

 under the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs Moscow. In 2008, Silver Medal, for Generosity by the

 Institute of Art named after K.A.Savitski, Russia. Honour award for the contribution

 Indo-Russian Friendship by the Mayor Penza city, Russia. In 2009 awarded Pushkin Medal

 by the President of Russian Federation.