Meet the Jury
Pragati Surana
Visionary Founder & Jury Member – PAA
Gallery Director & Curator, Somnium Meum – Swiss Art Gallery, Zurich
Pragati Surana is a renowned Indian artist based in Zurich, celebrated for her mastery of hyperrealism, photorealism, realism, and pop art. Over a dynamic career spanning two decades, her artistic vision has been shaped by the timeless influences of Van Gogh, Vermeer, John Stuart Ingle, and Warhol. Her body of work reflects a profound command of graphite, charcoal, oil, and acrylic, brought together with exceptional emotional depth and technical precision.
Pragati is widely recognized for her deeply moving hyperrealistic animal portraits and still life as well as striking pop-art compositions. Her artworks have been showcased at prestigious venues across Switzerland, Spain, the United States, Italy, Germany, and India, establishing her as an international artistic voice with a distinct creative signature.
Beyond her artistic practice, Pragati is a passionate collector and a respected juror for global art competitions. As the Gallery Director and Curator of Somnium Meum – Swiss Art Gallery in Zurich, she has cultivated a vibrant space where precision meets playful creativity, and where emerging artistic voices find visibility and encouragement.
Most notably, Pragati Surana is the visionary mind and key driving force behind the Progressus Art Awards (PAA). Her commitment to nurturing and empowering emerging artists worldwide stands at the heart of this initiative. Through PAA, she aims to build a global support platform that champions new talent, accelerates artistic growth, and expands access to international recognition.
Her leadership, artistic excellence, and unwavering dedication to fostering creative progress make her an integral pillar of the Progressus Art Awards.
Christoph Eberle
Jury Member – Progressus Art Awards (PAA)
Hyperrealist Painter & Art Director, VERMEER Magazine
Co-Founder, Hyperrealism.net
Christoph Eberle (b. 1969) is a Swiss hyperrealist painter who lives and works in Zurich. Although he discovered his passion for painting as a child, he initially trained as an architect and went on to work for more than 20 years as an independent graphic designer before fully dedicating himself to fine art. This multidisciplinary background continues to shape the clarity, structure, and compositional precision of his work.
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Eberle’s oil paintings harmonize traditional artistic foundations with contemporary visual sensibilities. Influenced by masters such as Caspar David Friedrich, Vermeer, Segantini, Warhol, and Gerhard Richter, his art merges classical depth with the heightened detail of modern digital image culture. His creative process begins with extensive photographic studies and sketches, from which he develops coherent visual concepts. The final execution is realized through ultra-fine brushwork, resulting in meticulously detailed compositions.
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Working in series, Eberle divides his oeuvre into two main categories: “Stills”—atmospheric landscapes, interiors, and everyday scenes charged with clarity and emotional tension—and “Objects”, contemporary still lifes that explore fragility and transience. In works such as those from his Body series, ordinary objects become poetic meditations on mortality, captured in a suspended moment between usefulness and decline.
Eberle’s precise technique led to his invitation to exhibit in a major hyperrealism exhibition in Paris in 2018, establishing connections that have since anchored him within a global network of realist painters and draftsmen. He has since exhibited widely in both solo and group shows across Switzerland and internationally.
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Beyond his artistic practice, Christoph Eberle is a committed advocate for contemporary realism. Together with Jacques Bodin, he co-runs hyperrealism.net, one of the most important platforms for realist and hyperrealist art worldwide. As curator of REAL’23, HYPER’23, and Spektrum Realismus, he works to elevate realist painting in Switzerland and abroad by giving it the visibility it deserves. He also serves as Art Director of VERMEER Magazine, an international publication dedicated to realistic art.
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Christoph Eberle’s broad artistic expertise, curatorial leadership, and deep engagement with the global realism community make him a distinguished jury member of the Progressus Art Awards.
Esther K
Jury Member – Progressus Art Awards (PAA)
Language Specialist
Aikido Instructor
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International Traveller
Esther K. grew up in various parts of the world and has lived for more than two decades in Paris and London before settling in Zurich with her family. She completed her studies in Paris at INALCO (Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales) and began her career working as a translator in Indonesia. She later moved to London, where she served as PA to the CEO of Fiat UK Ltd., before dedicating several years to raising her four children.
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Now based in Zurich, Esther re-trained as a language teacher for adults, combining her deep linguistic expertise with a passion for intercultural communication. She has also devoted time to volunteering with refugees, elderly communities, and hospital patients—bringing empathy, connection, and understanding to her work.
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A lifelong learner and explorer, Esther is an avid international traveller who has journeyed extensively across Europe and Asia. Her global exposure has shaped her sharp perspective on culture, art, and aesthetics—insights she brings thoughtfully to the Progressus Art Awards jury.
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In her spare time, Esther practices aikido and is also an experienced aikido instructor. She enjoys reading and spending long hours discovering museums and art galleries. As a devoted art enthusiast, she is particularly drawn to Baroque painters, Neo-classical masters—especially Ingres—as well as the expressionist movements of Der Blaue Reiter and Die Brücke.
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With her rich multicultural background, refined artistic sensibility, and deep understanding of human expression, Esther contributes a unique and insightful voice to the PAA jury panel.
Rajeev Surana
Jury Member – Progressus Art Awards (PAA)
CEO, 2S Global Consulting Group, Switzerland
Rajeev Surana is the CEO of 2S Global, an international consulting firm headquartered in Switzerland with offices in Finland, the United States, and India. With over 20 years of global experience, he has advised senior executives across life sciences, healthcare, engineering, and services on digital transformation, AI–ML strategy, and future-ready operations. Rajeev began his career with Deloitte in the US and has since worked with leading organizations across the Americas, Europe, and APAC.
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Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rajeev is a passionate art patron and lifelong creative. He has been painting and sketching since childhood, drawing inspiration from the Renaissance masters, the Impressionists—particularly Renoir—and the refined portraiture of British artist Thomas Gainsborough. His extensive international travel has allowed him to engage deeply with global art circles, museums, and creative communities. He also contributes thought leadership on the evolving intersection of art and artificial intelligence, exploring how technology reshapes creativity without diminishing human expression.
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A committed supporter of the arts, Rajeev brings to the Progressus Art Awards not only his professional rigor but also a profound appreciation for artistic excellence and innovation. His broad worldview, cultivated through decades of global work and cultural exposure, enriches his role as a juror and advocate for emerging artistic talent.
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He is also an avid lover of music, travel, golf, and nature.