Page 64 - MASALA VOL 8 ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2016 – JANUARY 2017

Running His Creative Course
It’s important to have your
Out of all the pieces you have created, which is your favourite?
One of my favourite pieces is titled ‘King without a Crown’, based on Guru own individuality toward
Gobind Singh Ji. This is my most recognised piece of work that has garnered
the most attention. It really helped grow my fan base. Unlike most Sikh your own expression. Mine
artists, who usually depict Guru Gobind Singh Ji looking at the audience, I is by breaking the rules.
created a story. I drew elements around our Guru to tell a story of who he is.
I want people to look at the image and ask questions such as why is there
a bow and arrow there? Why is the bow broken? Why are there little dots
everywhere? Why is there a hawk or a falcon? Why is there a horse? Why are
there four crowns? I love being inquisitive and posing questions.

What are the different mediums you experiment with?
My most common mediums are Indian inks, watercolours, cartridge paper,
sugar paper, burned paper and coffee-stained paper. The paper is usually the
same and it’s more about what I do to it, what creates the colour and what
allows the colours to shine. I am also trying to use more digital elements
now by trying to see what I can do with a tablet. It’s important to keep
experimenting. However, I am certain that I will never stop using Indian inks.
Otherwise, I’ll have to change my name from Inkquisitive to Digitalisitive.
How would you describe your artistic style?
Controlled Chaos! There’s a sense of being controlled and there’s a sense of
chaos. You will see spills and ink everywhere, but in some way, it works.
Would you say you follow the rules of art, defy the rules of art or invent
your own rules?
I would say I defy and invent my own rules. I invent my own rules because I
don’t want to be doing something someone else has already done. I say this
without trying to be arrogant. I believe I grew my fan base because I chose to
do something different. It’s important to have your own individuality toward
your own expression. Mine is by breaking the rules. I don’t think there’s
anything wrong with that, as long as you’re not offending people.

Who are your role models and what are you most inspired by?
I would definitely have to say my father. He was the first person to allow
me to realise what creativity was. He plays every instrument and does
calligraphy. At a young age, watching him pick up the pen was so astonishing
to me. My other inspirations include American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat,
as well as Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake. ‘King without a Crown (Guru Gobind Singh Ji)’ (2015)

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