Ritu Raj: Contemporary Abstract Artist Biography & Evolution

Ritu Raj, a distinguished painter and photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona, has crafted a multifaceted career that bridges art, technology, and business innovation. Born in Delhi, India, in 1964, Ritu grew up in an intellectually vibrant household. His father, K.B. Goel (1930–2018), was a renowned art critic specializing in modern and contemporary Indian art and a key advocate for abstract painting in India. Ritu’s mother, Premlata Goel, a professor of English literature, enriched this environment further. Immersed in discussions on art, literature, and philosophy, Ritu developed an early affinity for the visual arts, drawing inspiration from his father’s engagement with the Progressive Art Group—a collective that revolutionized Indian art by embracing abstraction.

Despite his passion for the arts, Ritu pursued academic studies in mathematics, management, and data processing, earning degrees from Delhi University. His career path led him to the U.S. in 1994, where he excelled in corporate roles, including as a Vice President at TMP Worldwide, a founding member of the cloud computing company Avasta, and later, a partner at Accenture. Ritu’s entrepreneurial ventures extended to founding Wag Hotels and pioneering advancements in email integration and collaborative workflow systems through OrchestratorMail. His corporate journey concluded in 2022 after serving as Vice President for Corporate Development at Diamond Foundry.

The pandemic marked a turning point for Ritu, reigniting his passion for painting. Relocating to Phoenix, he dedicated himself entirely to abstract art. Deeply influenced by his father’s philosophies, Ritu views contemporary abstract art as a medium for joyful self-expression and profound connection to the unknown. His work embodies the interplay of color, texture, and tone, embracing abstraction as a means to transcend surface realities and explore the sublime. Today, Ritu’s art represents a vibrant synthesis of his cultural heritage, intellectual influences, and creative exploration.