Shibu Natesan was born in Trivandrum in 1966. He studied painting at the College of Fine Arts in Trivandrum during the 1980s, a period that greatly influenced his artistic taste through exposure to Latin American cinema and literature. In 1989, he completed a Master's degree in Printmaking at M.S. University in Baroda, where he became engaged with the narrative themes of the Baroda School and was influenced by the works of Bhupen Khakhar.

In his early work, Natesan employed photorealistic techniques to explore social and political power imbalances, drawing inspiration from artists like Gerhard Richter, Richard Hamilton, and Vija Celmins. His first major solo exhibition, titled "The Futility of Device," took place at Sakshi Gallery in 1995. He participated in a residency at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam during 1996 and 1997, where he was awarded the Uriot Prize.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Natesan's work responded to political turmoil and cultural change. Using polished surfaces and metallic paint, he created images that encouraged reflection on themes of society, religion, and migration. Over time, he transitioned from photographic methods to plein air and still-life painting.