Rekha Rao was born in 1947 in Mumbai.


She studied painting under the guidance of her father, eminent late artist, K.K. Hebbar. She received her Masters in History from Mumbai University, Mumbai.

Rekha had several solo exhibitions:
In 1971 and 1975 she exhibited solo at Gallery Chemould, Mumbai. In 1973 she had a solo exhibition I. Serisawa Gallery, Los Angeles, USA. In 1985 she exhibited solo at Gallery Unverzagt, Germany and Gallery K, Geneva & ICCR. In 1986 she exhibited solo at Gallery Nidus in Sydney, Australia. and In 1987 she had a solo at Sakshi Gallery, Chennai & Bengaluru. In 1981 and 1993 she exhibited solo at Dhoomimal Gallery, New Delhi. In 2000 she had solo exhibitions at Sans Tache Gallery, Mumbai and Gallerie Renaissance, Bengaluru. In 1969, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2001 she had several solo shows at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. In 2006, 2009 and 2015 she had several solo exhibitions at Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.

She participated in several group shows, art camps and workshops:
In 1972 she exhibited in a group show at I Serisawa Gallery in Los Angeles, USA. In 1975 she participated in a group show at Surya Gallery, Germany. In 1978 she took part in the IV Triennale at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. In 1986 she participated in the Asian Biennale at Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 1989 she participated in an art camp in Lucknow at the Lalit Kala Akademi Reg. Centre, UP. From 1989 - 2000 she participated in multiple group exhibitions in New Delhi, Singapore, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai. In 1990 she conducted a workshop for Mohile Parekh Centre for Visual Art, Mumbai. In 1994 she participated in the International Artists Camp, Jaipur and the VIII Triennial India organized by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. In 1997 she took part in an art camp organized by Gallery Sumukha in Kathmandu, Nepal. In 2000 she participated in National Art Camp at Lalit Kala Akademi, Goa. From 2003 – 2008 she participated in several group exhibitions in Bengaluru, New Delhi, Noida, Goa, Chennai, Mumbai and London. In 2005 she took part in a workshop at Manipal University Campus, Manipal. From 2005 - 2008 she took part in art camps in Amby Valley, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Mysore and Uttaranchal. In 2014 and 2015 she participated in group shows in Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. In 2016 she participated in the All India Artists Camp at Tanjavoor and Scandinavia.

She has received several awards:
In 1971 she received the Critics Award at Artists Centre, Mumbai. In 1976 she received an award from the Bombay Art Society, Mumbai. In 1975 and 1976 she received an award from the Hyderabad Art Society, Hyderabad. In 1977 she was received an award from the Lalit Kala Akademi in Lucknow, UP. In 1978 she received an award from the Maharashtra State Art Exhibition in Mumbai. In 2003 she was presented the G. S. Shenoy Memorial Award. In 2006 she was awarded the Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.

Rekha lives in Mumbai.