I am a visual artist who expresses through drawing, painting, graphic design and photography. I’m also an art educator and curator. My passion for art drives me. I constantly push my creative boundaries juggling between art, photography and design. While I follow minimalism and simple clean lines as a part of my design philosophy, my art and photography are guided by experimentation. I love to explore new mediums and techniques and encourage my students to do the same. I believe there is no age to learn art and there are no boundaries that stop one from growing in the creative world. I believe that the more I share the more I learn and no knowledge ever goes waste.
I am the founder of The Art Exchange Project, an art community geared towards fostering an atmosphere of art appreciation, sharing and learning of art techniques, introduction and usage of different art mediums. The members meet regularly and learn through demonstrations and workshops.
I also run a graphic design studio Easel Ideas and manufacture handmade specialized stationery for artists under my brand Kagazi Ghoda. Garage 266 is my studio space for workshops, artist collaborations and inexpensive art.
Finding time between my design and art commitments I curate art and photography shows, interview artists for my community youtube channel and organize free art meet ups.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
M.A. English 1998 Dept. of English (Panjab University)
B.F.A. Graphics 1996 Govt. College of Arts, Chandigarh
Judged art competitions
Art competition at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra on the occasion of International Youth Day 2019
Inter-school art competition at Amity School 2018
Photography competition for GT Picture It photo contest for Amity Schools 2018
Inter-school folk-art competition at Govt. High School Gulabi Bagh 2018
Painting competition on ‘Gandhi Zinda Hai’, Vishwa Yuvak Kendra 2017
Painting competition, Silverline Public School, Ghaziabad 2017
Painting competition, Cambridge School, Noida 2016
2018 set up my studio space that also serves as a collaborative space for other artists and a gallery for art products.
2016 Art For Heart Organized and curated the first Artists’ Pop up store in Delhi in Oct 2016 where 11 artists participated and interacted directly with art lovers and buyers.
2014 Set up an art community The Art Exchange Project. The community now has 5000+ members and local members meet regularly to discuss and exchange art ideas and processes and to create art
As the convener of my art community I organize regular art meets. Using different themes, mediums and ideas I encourage the members of my art group to push the boundaries of their art. I’ve conducted over 80 art events including, workshops, meets, free demos and competitions.
Organized Live painting session ‘Gandhi from artist’s eyes’ in partnership with Progressive Art gallery at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra. These paintings were then a part of the show ‘Icons of India’ which included works of prominent artists like MF Hussain and Rabindranath Tagore. Also organized a painting competition for children ‘Young India Paints’ at VYK.
I also organize group art supply buys, visits to studios, art fairs and movie screenings to inspire the artists.
Conducted art and photography workshops at various companies including Pearl Academy, HPCL, Del Monte.
Invited Indian and international artists for workshops. Paul Liptrot, (UK), NB Gurung (Nepal), Mark Warner (India), Shayamlal (Folk artist India), Sabita (Nepal), Veerat (India), Shanti Devi (Folk artist India), Vijay Shyam (Folk artist India)
I conduct artist interviews for Youtube channel of The Art exchange Project.
2013 Started my brand of artisan stationery Kagazi Ghoda specializing in handmade acid free sketchbooks.
2003 Started my graphic design studio Easel Ideas, specializing in print media.
Done projects in magazine design, book design, brand identities for established companies and start-ups.
From October 1, 2000 till December 31, 2002
Worked as designer in, THE STUDIO, a design consultancy. The company was involved in publishing design (magazines, newspapers, books, book covers etc).
From August 1, 1999 to September 30, 2000
Worked in COSMOPOLITAN magazine. Handled layout designing keeping in mind the format of the magazine and the story idea. Conceptualizing, Sourcing products and styling shoots for décor pages.
From 1994 to August 1999
Did freelance projects in graphic design and photography. Did commissioned paintings for homes and corporate offices.
Shows Participated in
Solo show Spring Time at Art By Divyaman Gallery, Noida, February 2021
Soul Call, group show organized by Kala Shristi, Chandigarh, December 2020
Flower Shower, a part of book launch of Dr. Alka Pande’s book, The Lalit, Delhi, March 2020
Viewpoints, group show, The Stainless Gallery, New Delhi, September 2019
Solo show REM Impressions at IHC, New Delhi October 2019
Noir, group show, The Stainless Gallery, New Delhi, September 2017
Explorations, group show AIFACS, New Delhi, March 2017
FIPA group Photography show, RCSC, New Delhi, 2013
FIPA Group art show, PSK, New Delhi, 2012
Group photography show in Chandigarh 1998
Curated shows
Viewpoints, group show, The Stainless Gallery, New Delhi, September 2019
Spaces, group show, The Stainless Gallery, New Delhi, December 2018
Noir, group show, The Stainless Gallery, New Delhi, September 2017
Explorations, group show AIFACS, New Delhi, March 2017
Icons of India, Vishv Yuva Kendra, New Delhi October 2015
FIPA group Photography show, RCSC, New Delhi, 2014
Workshops
Serigraphy Workshop organsied in memeory of Ravindra Verma by Kaladham Projects, Noida, November 2020