Visual Artist and Designer Shruti Vij
Visual Artist and Designer Shruti Vij from Gurgaon, India spoke to The Tiles of India about her journey, her passion & inspiration for art and also gave some tips on how to choose art for homes and offices.
Shruti Vij is a Gurgaon based artist who graduated from NIFT, Delhi. She is an art enthusiast and a painter. She has always been an avid follower of art but acknowledged it as a true calling only recently, when she plunged head down into the world of painting, never to emerge. She has an art studio by the name of Shruti Arts. She has taken part in several national and international exhibitions, where she contributed her artworks for noble causes, judged art competitions, participated in various art workshops collaborated with interior designers, and have done two solo art shows.
“Painting is not a mere vocation for me, it’s a passion. From depicting my innermost feelings to creating a colourful world as I see it to recreating pieces that catch my fancy, painting gives me an outlet to express what is beyond words. I am a Gurgaon based artist who is originally a Leather designer by profession .I have blended my artistic skills with my experiences in the fashion field, bringing about a perfect marriage of my two passions. I have also collaborated with various reputed interior decorating brands with my artworks and recently started a stint as an independent interior stylist.”
“My art is not limited by style or technique, I like to leave it free, and it’s about what touches my heart. Although, I regard my art as a personal journey I want people around me to experience it as well. I do not subscribe to complicated concepts; my idea of art is simple beauty. The common element that runs through all my works is beauty that appeals to everyone and puts a smile on the viewer’s face. I use acrylics and mixed media for my work. My works creates a visual rhapsody of colour and strokes that come to life on canvas. My palate includes a variety of reds, blues and greens that enthrall the viewer and are a visual treat to the eyes.”
In conversation with The Tiles of India
1. Tell us a little about yourself
I am a visual artist and designer based out of Gurgaon. A product of the prestigious National Institute Of Fashion Technology ( NIFT) , New Delhi, and an art enthusiast, I am a painter with a distinct individual style. An artist who’s originally a Leather designer by profession, I blended my artistic skills with my experiences in the fashion field, bringing about a perfect marriage of my two passions.
My art is not limited by style or technique. I like to leave it free. It is about what touches my heart. The common element that runs through all my works is beauty that appeals to everyone and puts a smile on viewer’s face.
Art paved a way for me to express my feelings and experiences in no other way that I had experienced before. Art for me is therapeutic and healing. I love doing mainly abstracts and mixed media artworks.
2. Why did you choose art, what inspires you, what do you like about art?
I have always painted as far as I remember. Right from my school days, I had an inclination towards art. I used to represent my school in inter-school competitions. I then went on to submit my artworks for state level competitions. Then there was a hiatus in my art journey as I needed more time to focus on academics. I seriously pursued art when I joined NIFT and had more time for creative pursuits but was not completely focused on it.
I find my deepest source of inspiration simply in the ‘ process ‘ of creating something out of nothing. As a rule, I never know what my painting will look like before I begin and this mystery is exactly what creates the excitement and curiosity. I need to stay inspired, I rely on my own intuition and the concept of ‘working with what’s working ‘ to keep momentum as my paintings emerge naturally on their own time.
The one thing that that I like about art is that it infuses light into your mind. It enlivens the corners of your mind by putting sweet pressure on them. Creating art is healing not only for the mind and spirit but also the bodies since all are interconnected. It works on multiple levels to not only relax but also to restore and rejuvenate, bringing joy and increasing your energy and enthusiasm for life.
3. Can you tell us a little about the relevance and benefits of having art in our spaces?
Displaying art is a great way to make your home reflect your personality and taste. Mounting an old masterpiece or cutting-edge sculpture in your living room or dining room lets you show off your artistic prowess to friends and visitors. In art and design, color allows us to create our own individuality and flare. For years, interior decorators, graphic designers, advertisers and artists have been using colour to enhance our environments. Colour can be used to evoke a certain mood or to create a message or sharp response in the viewer.
Benefits of having art in our spaces
It Creates A Focal Point
One of the basic principles of interior design is that every room needs a focal point, or a single design element that will instantly draw the eye into the space and give the viewer a sense of what to expect. It goes without saying that a great piece of wall art could easily fulfill this position.
It Brings A Sense Of Texture
We know that not all wall art is created equal. While some pieces may be two-dimensional paintings or something similar, we should try to find art in a variety of different mediums to help bring a varying sense of texture into the space.
It Makes The Room Appear Finished
Wall art is that finishing element that can help pull a space together and make it feel complete. It is that little extra touch that can take your space from simply looking functional to appearing as if it should grace the pages of an interior design magazine.
4. Can you share some tips for our readers to choose art for their homes and offices
Here are some simple tips for buying art paintings which might help you to create harmonious and beautiful environment:
- Colours
One of the common interior design tricks is repetition of colour. If you have a painting with lots of green, introducing the same colour somewhere else in the room will create a feeling of continuity and flow. This can be done through accessories – decorative cushions, rugs, vases and vessels.
- Motion or stillness
All paintings can be conventionally divided into two categories: depicting still life and depicting movement. If you want to create a serene and relaxing environment, choose the first one: landscapes, nature morte, portraits. Otherwise, for bringing energy and liveliness to the space find paintings with motion. This doesn’t necessarily have to be pictures of running horses, it can also be abstract paintings with curvilinear forms or lines in different directions which are subconsciously associated with movement.
3.Style and theme
Another important thing to pay attention to while choosing art is the style you have or want to create in the room. Thus, for traditional homes, designers usually choose portraits, landscapes, black and white photography. Abstract art and surrealism look great in contemporary spaces. In eclectic interiors you can actually mix different styles together, however, you need to have enough experience and skills to beautifully match them.
5. What are the things they need to keep in mind while buying art
1. Check authenticity: While purchasing art pieces, make sure they come with a certificate of authenticity of the artist to ensure that the painting is from an actual artist and not a cheap imitation, a rip-off or a low-quality copy/print of another artists’ original.
2. Insurance: Art comes in two forms — rolls and frames. If it’s a framed art piece, make sure the painting is insured by the manufacturer and check the quality of the packaging as frames are very delicate and might be damaged upon arrival.
3. Value for money: Art comes with a perceived value. Before buying, check a few resources (different galleries have different rates) to ensure the value you are paying is accurate.
4. Size matters: One of the most important key factors to keep in mind is to check the size of the painting you require before purchasing to ensure it fits your required environment.
5.Research: Make sure that you have full knowledge of the artist and his/her work before you makes the actual purchase. It is important to do a thorough research on the availability and the painting you want to buy.
6. What kind of maintenance does it require?
Check the condition of your artworks periodically. Many people put up a artwork and forget about it, until they notice that it has been damaged.Keep your artworks out of direct sunlight. Your artwork might have a protective layer of varnish, but it is still possible for it to crack or fade if subjected to bright sunlight for long periods of time.Dust your artworks with a clean, soft rag occasionally to prevent dust buildup. Don’t use cleaning products or water. Try to avoid subjecting your artworks to extreme changes in atmosphere. Avoid excessive dryness, humidity, heat or cold.
7. Please share some details about your exhibitions and installations and your experiences around them.
During the past few years, I have participated in many art shows, mostly in and around Delhi, and have won great appreciation from art lovers and critics alike. I have an art studio by the name of Shruti Arts.
I am very grateful to Hungarian Cultural Centre, New Delhi, for making me a part of their installation. It is very fulfilling and gratifying indeed. Participating in Indo-Korean Art Festival and World Art Dubai was a great learning experience for me. I have enjoyed each and every show that I have been a part of. I have improved as an artist and my style has evolved over time and I attribute this partly to my shows. As an artist one continually evolves and improves, art is a journey and not a destination. This year I also had a chance to participate in First Virtual Online Art Exhibition by Mojarto- an NDTV venture. I am also exhibiting in the International Virtual Art Exhibition hosted by galleries of Nepal and Bangladesh.
I don’t really know how things will pan out in the future but fingers crossed for the best. I am working on some very exciting assignments which will slowly unravel in months to come. Can’t reveal much because of of its a work in progress.
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