Page 63 - MASALA VOL 8 ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2016 – JANUARY 2017

Everything about

Sikhism really opened
up my imagination to

what could be created.

How It All Began

How did your career as an artist begin? could be created. So being an artist, I thought why not celebrate
I launched Inkquisitive about six years ago, when my parents the beautiful stories of Sikhism?
encouraged me to put my work online. Social media is a very
powerful tool for creativity, and it is incredible how people have How do you define yourself through your work?
supported my journey and helped make this a profession for me. I think my art is a replication and reflection of my life. These include
my heartbreaks, joys and sorrows. It is a visual diary. When I
Did you face any obstacles or resistance in turning art am participating in an exhibition, I never feel like they are my art
into your profession? pieces, but rather pages of my diary. For example, I know why
Oh yes, many. The first was making people realise that it wasn’t I have done what I have, like why the angles and colours are a
just a hobby but also a profession. That was the hardest thing to certain way. At the same time, I don’t like to have any rules and
do. In fact, people still see it as a hobby, especially when they regulations governing what I do and how I do it. So, sometimes I am
ask me, “I love your artwork but what is your day job?” On the very spontaneous and I will be inspired by a story I have read or
flipside, as people increasingly view Inkquisitive as my career, it a conversation I have overhead. I think the best thing about art is
encourages them to pursue their own artistic talents which open that you are always able to be impulsive with your creations.
more doors for other youngsters in the community to follow art
as a profession. Do you have any specific
goals you want to achieve?
There was also a bit of resistance creating Sikh artwork. People I started Inkquisitive with no
were blatantly questioning why I was doing it, but that was only specific goals in mind. I just
two percent of the audience. The other 98 percent were sharing wanted to share my vision
my work, and that is how I believe I got the following I have now, and creativity. I feel like if
because I was courageous enough to approach a fragile topic. I continue to do that, more
success will come my way. If I
How does Sikhism influence your artwork? start noting down goals I want
Growing up, my father would tell my sister and me stories about to achieve, I might destroy my
the Sikh Gurus. Not many people know this, but our tenth Guru, vision. Everything that I have
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was also an artist. I think it’s so beautiful accomplished so far has been
that these legacies and stories can be preserved through art, a blessing in disguise.
and through this creativity these stories can last forever. Thus,
everything about Sikhism really opened up my imagination to what

Masalathai.com | 63