Shailee Thakkar is an interdisciplinary artist practicing in Boston, Massachusetts. Her work explores themes of control and power within institutions of power such as families, social communities, and art institutions. Language is often used by such institutions to establish control over information, speech, and movement. Thakkar sets rules for each project and then uses transparency, redaction, removal, and retention to amplify or diminish the power of those words through her work.

Born and raised in Gujarat, India, Thakkar grew up in the bustling town of Anand and spent most of her childhood in her birthplace of Godhra. She grew up watching her family members make cards, knitwear, and dyed handkerchiefs. At the age of eight, she started taking art classes and participating in school and community art contests. Even after moving to the United States at the age of 12, Thakkar continued to practice art within her school. 

Thakkar is a Graduate student at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in the 2D Fine Arts program and is expected to graduate in May, 2026. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and is a former High school science teacher. She also holds an Associate’s degree in Studio Art from Austin Community college.