I recently had the pleasure to meet and interview Nivedita Saha, a visual artist from Mumbai. We became acquainted after she became a follower of my blog. Frequently I review my followers, check out their blogs and more than likely, I end up following them back. After reviewing her blog and her artwork, I was interested in learning more about her, so I contacted her. Nivedita, in my opinion, has a great story of struggling, dreaming, and persevering. Check out her work and read about her story.
1. Hello Nivedita, thanks for agreeing to an interview. How are things going for you?
I have been busy looking for a muse and fighting the artist’s block…it sure has been hectic. LOL!
2. I read over your bio and discovered you were raised in India, Maharastra to be exact. Tell me, a little about that area? Were there any childhood experiences that sparked your interest in art?
I was born and raised in Maharashtra, Mumbai. It is a cosmopolitan city where most people come from different parts of India to realize their dreams. I was one among the teeming millions who arrived here on 21st September 1972. However little that I knew, that my life’s journey, would turn out to be more complicated than I ever thought possible. My father was a major job hopper, switched jobs every year and sometimes every couple of months. As a result, I had quite a disturbed childhood…our family ended up moving almost every year within the city and the state…I went to so many different schools, it was a total disaster for my upbringing. By the time I actually settled into my new surroundings, it was time to move again. My dad was an introvert who kept his problems to himself, also had quite a strong temper and what he decided had to be done his way. My mother is a wonderful talented woman, a singer, interior decorator, social worker and chef…however she couldn’t do justice to any of her talents for several reasons. My sister is 8 years older than me; she managed to finds wings through an early marriage and went away to live with her husband. I, being much younger (9), had hardly any voice to express what I wanted from life. I had no choice but to go with the flow. My childhood gave birth to a rebel inside me who scribbled and doodled when she knew no one wanted to hear what she had to say. I was an introvert, a loner and a non-academic kid. I filled my books with sketches, also occasionally scribbled and doodled on the walls of my room with dark markers and chalks. I was major into music. Art helped me fight my inner struggles and it still does even to this day.
3. So, at what point did you realize that art was the path you wanted to take?
While I was growing up no one believed that one could have a future or career in Art. People were only aware of Engineering, Medical, Banking or teaching as successful professions/careers. Dance, music, painting, and cooking were considered to be the “hobby” category. No one had a clue or cared about what I wanted or what was good for me…I was considered very good in drawing and singing but that wasn’t deemed a talent, nor seen fit to be pursued as a passion (which it was for me)…as I was not academically sound. I always appeared to others as a girl, lacking any serious focus in life. No one…not even my parents were interested in mentoring me…just because I was different from other kids…they found me weird as I directed all my time and effort in the creation art and music. Too much family pressure saw me taking up Science in the 12th grade 
(that was so not me)...I had to fail.
Then came a friend who counseled and helped me find a suitable career. He was this dream guy who had done extremely well in his career, academically a scholar; my parents seemed to take everything he said very seriously. Having known me and what I might be capable of, he educated us about the career opportunities, universities that offered fulltime bachelors and masters degrees in art. He worked with me and prepared me for the entrance exams and we filled out applications to various reputed institutes in art. This was a major turning point of my life. I made it in flying colors to one of the best institutes in art…the beautiful campus; along with being able to express and do what I always wanted to do 24/7 was like a dream come true. I still had difficulty as my parents had little faith in the career I had chosen …I excelled and got scholarships every year…however there was nothing that I could do to please my parents. They were sure this career option would not lead to any commercial reward, as a career in Fine Art as a painter, would be a struggle for at least 5-6 years. I knew there were hundreds out there, who were really good and struggling for several years. My scholarship in the 2nd year of the degree course gave me an option to choose commercial art and advertising vis-a-vis Fine art. Choosing commercial art meant job and money to pay bills, help support my family immediately after finishing college. I did just that…I sort of killed the artist inside me that day and took up art direction and advertising, majored in illustration. Then landed a great job after college as a stepping stone…got married to my friend, philosopher and guide.
4.What were the determining factors that led you to choose art over advertising and information technology?
In Mumbai, life is tough i.e. if we wanted more from life (which includes a house, a car, good lifestyle, a decent social status etc)… both of us (my husband and me) ended up working like DINK (Double income no kids) for almost 9 years. I switched several jobs in the creative front, so did he…we got tired of this crazy-busy life where we had no time for each other. Advertising and IT are both very demanding career options, working late hours sometimes days, weeks, and months…it was impossible for me to maintain a quality relationship with my spouse, which we once had, years ago.
I was also doing everything but ‘art’ after I graduated from college (no wonder it is called ‘commercial art’ the term is so right). One single decision can totally change us and the direction where we’re headed. Being a Creative Head, for some of the best organizations did not satisfy my hunger for doing what I always wanted to do. There was this thing called “Creative Brief” that set parameters on my thought process. This “Brief” came from the client and in advertising ‘Client is King’. Do as the client wants, giving him what he thinks might be right for his product promotion, this always takes precedence over what we think might be good for the client…so…there goes your creativity. This “Brief” comes with parameters, rules, regulations, and guidelines to follow…that meant total lack of freedom for someone like me. I had to pay my bills and so earning money for sustenance took precedence over creative freedom and expression…for which I often felt sorry for myself. I found myself again in a position where I had no choice. Somewhere within I craved to express full throttle, get back my freedom, wake that rebel and scream that I will no longer go by any rules…I simply wanted to run away from that crazy life. My husband bagged a job in Saudi Arabia and then followed a letter from him in 3 months…it said in simple words…“come get your dream, we have enough financial stability now for you to quit your job and pursue your real passion”. I quit my job, sold our house, packed my bags and moved to the Middle East to follow my dreams. Since then it has been over 6 years and I have never regretted leaving advertising…not once!
5. Do you have any other interests besides art?
Yes, I sing and have been a professional performer.
6. Nivedita, share with me your personal definition of ART?
I cannot define Art….Art defines me.
Art is a habit… my way of life. Art helps me with my inner struggles…it takes away all kinds of hell. No matter how much I struggle, I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing than this creative work, which is a lot like giving birth. And producing a healthy baby, like a good book, painting, sculpture, song or film is possible only if we have engaged in the process that makes conception possible in the first place. I live for creating even more than myself.
7. When I came across your work, I was like, “wow, I gotta contact her.” The Mutation Series I, The Mole, and The Dragonfly Series are some of my favorites; they are very colorful and imaginative. You mentioned in your bio that your pieces are abstracted realism. Please elaborate on that statement.
Abstract Realism: Given the exact same theme or photo…an abstract artist will paint it one way, and a realistic painter will paint it another way. Abstract has exaggerated emotionalism and may have no recognizable object of the subject or photo, while realism is without exaggerated emotionalism and pays meticulous attention to details. My work combines both styles and thought processes to produce its own unique blend through the various mediums.
8. What role does India play in your art? How does your country’s culture influence your work?
I am Buddhist by practice; this has its own story (which is quite tragic, personal losses, near death and back etc. I’m not exactly sure anyone would like to know about that episode of my life).
A particular period of art influences my work a great deal, called “The Gupta Period.”
The Gupta period initiated in 275 A.D. by Sri Gupta continued for a long period up to 550 A.D. The imperial Guptas had established political unity under their own supremacy. The period of the Gupta sovereignty in India is termed the “Golden Age.” This period is remarkable for the religious and intellectual renaissance, also witnessed a brilliant development in the fields of art, architecture, sculpture and literature. The enormous wealth of the country during this time led to a cultural resurgence in India. Although the political supremacy of the Guptas crumbled in 550 A.D., the trend of culture in general and the type of art in particular initiated by them, continued for a century or little more. According to historians, the Gupta era is one of the most creative periods of Indian History and the beginning of new style and technique in the field of art. The Gupta period had scaled heights, for which it has been given the epithet “the Golden age of India.”
9. Browsing through your gallery, I see that you use a variety of mediums, oil, acrylic, water-color, mixed… Do you prefer one to the other?
Yes, I use a variety of mediums to express the same style and theme that runs through my artworks. Etching, mono-prints, pen and ink, acrylics, watercolor…each medium has its own strength and expression…I enjoy the diversity and flexibility. 
10. Do you ever use computer software for your works?
No, I never use computer software for any of my work except for updating and maintaining my blogs.
11. You have another blog, Digital Passion, featuring photographs. Are you headed toward professional photography also? Or, is photography just a hobby?
I graduated with a degree in commercial art; photography and creative art direction formed an essential part of my career. In my advertising days I enjoyed doing conceptual photography for several campaigns, press ads and catalogues. The lens has never betrayed me, I love photography, and I’m quite passionate about the lens…the only difference today is before I captured what I was asked to…today I capture what I want to.
Yes, I am building a few projects in photography as well, along with working on installations for future shows.
12. You have participated in several exhibitions. What are some of your other creative accomplishments and/or aspirations?
I wish to pursue MFA, I have a 5 yr old daughter who needs me right now…however, my family is very supportive and I’m positive that help will come…I’m just waiting for the right moment. I hope for exhibition opportunities in other countries, outside the UAE. I aspire that my creations be seen on reputed platforms by curators and critics. I am trying…not too sure though if my work always reaches the right sources at the right time. The fact for an emerging artist remains that ‘A Reputed Gallery needs to represent an Artist to succeed’…in my case, this has yet to happen. I do have amazing mentors (some are authorities in the art industry) who advice and guide me. I am attached to a young, focused, reputed art gallery and art facility. I day dream of a Solo show, sometime next year…don’t know when, don’t know how…but I’m building a portfolio towards this goal. Feedback from shows this year has been very positive; I was told by art authorities that over 30 collectors have expressed interest in following and investing in my work. Unfortunately a lot of my works are on hold too due to the art market crash. I entered this year when the market crashed so I am taking this period as a time of learning and keeping my expectations realistic and low. Looking at the shape of things…I’d say…for me…creative success is more important than commercial success. I would like to concentrate on consistent creative output…everything else will follow on its own.
13. Will you travel to the U.S. anytime soon?
No, I am not scheduled to travel anywhere, not yet.
14. What type of advice would you share with a young artist trying to get their work seen?
Advice for fellow artist trying to get their work seen: * Try to start off with group shows which help build network and contacts. * Approach a gallery only when you’re sure that your work meets the personality of the space and exhibits they have had before. * See all-important shows; be seen at the right place at the right time. Keep Portfolio CD, visiting card, website ready for self-promotion. * Body of work must speak for itself…it is all that marks an artist’s career…everything depends on it. It is very important to first succeed creatively…commercial success will follow in time. * Every artist has his/her own journey…so have patience, nothing happens overnight. * Being an artist is a privilege. Don't feel sorry for yourself or other artists that are "struggling," feel sorry for people working in jobs that they hate.
15. What is one thing that no one knows about Nivedita?
That will remain a secret!
16. Also, what sets you apart from other visual artists?
Time will tell………
To see more of Nivedita's work, visit her website at meetnivi.blogspot.com
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photo courtesy of snickarsrecords.com
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