This artist giving second life to cardboards

She is an artist and an art entrepreneur with a difference. Her artwork has been highly recognized by some of the well-known personalities and art connoisseurs in the industry. Through her art she wants to create a strong social impact, embracing the philosophy of sustainable living. For her, the idea of being ethical is a way of thinking and a lifestyle which is a fair trade with nature and her love for the environment is vividly visible from the kind of work she does. Known as a cardboard artist, she uses recycled or recyclable material as much as she can. She is positioning her brand that way only. Speaking to Bizz Buzz exclusively, Bandana Jain explains how in urban set up, where space is always a constraint, functional art is making a lot of difference as it serves both of purpose of aesthetics and usability and how millennials are turning out to be the biggest consumers.

At what age did you start cultivating your artistic faculty? Was it painting or something else?

Since childhood I knew one thing that I want to be an artist. Even when I had no idea that there is this kind of education exist in this world where a person can opt for formal education in art. I was more into sketching as I didn't have many tools to do painting. I was more like an observant, I used to observe the nature, during my walk on the street, I loved to see what is happening around me. I had a huge fascination to see the artisans crafting Durga maa. I always wanted to learn from them the technique of sculpting. Though, I have never got the opportunity to learn it then. There is a beautiful saying that "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it" (Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist).

Did you have any formal grooming/training in any form of art?

Yes I did BFA from JJ school of Art. I am 2012 pass-out.

When and how did you get into functional art?

I always believe that everything in this world is there to serve a purpose. Like clouds are not there to decorate the sky it has its own purpose. Trees are for some reasons, all the animals, insects, rocks and moon-sun-sky-sea-fire-water. Being an artist I take inspiration from things which I see around me and nature is what I closely refer to my work. The inspiration to do something functional it definitely came from nature.

Do you have any formal training in areas of functional art?

No I don't have any formal training to do anything functional. It's like I do a lot of R&D, multiple iterations. When I work on a bench or anything that sort I do miniatures and then understand the ergonomics before making a final piece.

How do you see this art form (functional art) growing in India over the next few years. Where does India stand vis-a-vis other developed and developing nations in this area?

I noticed that even art galleries started curating functional art. Even in India art fair last year I saw some functional art kept in the gallery space. Now the line between art and design is getting thinner. Also in urban set up where space is always a constraint, functional art makes a lot of difference as it serves both of purpose of aesthetics and usability. Post-pandemic the dynamics of Indian market has changed significantly. Now the entire world sees India from a different lens. The future is here as we cater the highest population of millennials and they are the biggest consumers.

Functional art may have to be customised at times. As an artist, what is your take on that?

There is a difference between customisation and commissioning. Being an artist I keep the liberty to myself in terms of what I actually want to create. Freedom of expression is what makes a person an artist. When I commission a piece of art, I only take the dimension into consideration, if it is my client's pre-requisite.

Ok. I stand corrected. What are your interest areas (in terms of categories of products)?

To make a seating out of paper is something which excites me a lot because it is always so experiential. I love those awestruck faces, those doubts, some questions and an entire conversation around the artwork where the asking is, is it possible to sit on it? It is amazing to answer those queries in a positive way.

How many exhibitions did you hold so far in different parts of the country?

I am very selective about the exhibition I suppose to do. I have done a few luxury design exhibition in Delhi and Mumbai. Now I completely focus into art exhibition. Recently I have done one solo show with Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai and now I'm doing another solo show at 079 stories in Ahmedabad. I want to do such art shows in all major cities in the country.

How do you strike a balance between an artist and an entrepreneur?

I ensure my visibility in social media. Time to time PR which is very important to make the world know that I exist as an artist. Apart from that, relationship building exercise with architects, interior designers and the stakeholders of art is very important. I try to be a part of panel discussion in various forums, I go to B-schools and design institute for lectures. These are some of the things which make me an entrepreneur.

You must be having some plans to build your own brand....?

I am already known for my work as a cardboard artist. I also work towards sustainability and I'll make sure that I use recycled or recyclable material as much as I can and it's not just professionally but personally also I work towards sustainability.

Be it like every day cleaning of my digital trash or my purchases, conscious use of electricity to avoid one time usable plastic. I am mindful about every step I take towards protecting the environment and through my work I ensure that I could make this world a better place to live in.

How do you plan to take your art works/products outside India- on the global field?

I would like to be a part of art or design show internationally. I am planning to apply for certain competition and more than anything I would like to focus on one particular geography to establish my presence there in a big way. If it is Europe it will be Europe if it is US it will be US and that too just one particular city to begin with. That way I would be able to build trust and establish good relationship in that particular region. This will be my way forward to capture international market.

What are your plans on scaling up?

♦ Collaboration with Art Gallery

♦ Work on social media presence

♦ Make myself a thought leader in the area of sustainability

♦ Public art

♦ Art Curation

Do you also have any plan to impart training so that this unique art form is carried forward?

Not at this point, maybe in future I would like to work on it to make my legacy to leave behind for my country.