Introduction
In a recent conversation with Mumbai-based artist Deepika Sakhat and Abir Pothi’s editor Iftikar Ahmed, explored the topic, “Why We Fear Using the Word Artist.” During our virtual meet, Deepika revealed something unexpected for someone living in one of India’s busiest cities. The fast-paced life of Mumbai proved to be overwhelming for her. The relentless rat race, crowded spaces, and the survival-of-the-fittest mentality began to weigh heavily, pushing her to reconsider the city’s influence on her artistic journey.
Mumbai’s Rush Was ‘Too Much’: An Artist’s Escape from the City’s Chaos
In the interview, Deepika recalls her time in Mumbai and how it was intimidating. It was too much for me, like the hustle and bustle, kind of over-dramatized lifestyle — what we really do not need,” she said. The lifestyle that she led in this fast paced world, to a sedate and thoughtful existence in the tranquil universe of Baroda campus turned out to be most defining chapter in her life; leading her towards dabbling into varied subjects within her work.
Nature as the True Inspiration: ‘Birds, Lizards, and Monkeys Are My Muse Now’
For Deepika the most surprising homecoming was remote and came full circle in her practice as she began to connect with things we have always taken for granted: Lizards, squirrels, birds and even monkeys – some of which make guest appearances through out her lockdown. While a majority of artists looked for solace in high-concept ideas, Deepika took to nature in its pure and simple form — what finally marked her change as an artist. Soon I began seeing things which I could have never seen in Mumbai. She narrates, “I had the liberty and peace of mind to think things through in Baroda.”
The Pandemic Changed Everything: A Time of Isolation and Realization
Much like for the rest of the world, Deepika’s life took an unexpected turn as well with the advent of COVID-19. She called the pandemic, widely known to be a time of destabilization, and turned it into an opportunity for deep self-evaluation and finding out. “Being so isolated, it really gave me a chance to reflect on [a lot] — on myself and what kind of artist I am and who I want to be inspired by,” she said. Her lockdown was beneficial to her creative process overall, as while restrictive it allowed her to work out new techniques and ideas.
Did Social Media Save Art During the Pandemic?
Social media being the lifeline for artists in pandemic, Deepika also agrees to this. “Though we were isolated, but online charchas like that of Abir kept us connected to the art community,” she said further rooting for digital frontiers when it came to ensuring a connect in the art fraternity.
Deepika Sakhat’s journey from the ultra-fast-paced lifestyle of Mumbai to a serene and meditative existence in art is a self-experienced transformation. The world’s fastest metropolitan city contrasts sharply with her new life as a natural artist in Baroda. This shift represents a deeper connection between herself and her art — treating the ‘white cube’ as more than a space, but a practice that radically rejects contemporary Western life. Instead, it embraces the fundamental actions at the heart of true artistic expression.
