Dufa Journal

In our Featured Shop this month, we’d like to cover the fascinating story of one of Dufa’s talented artist, Amrita Aggarwal.  Amrita is a home-maker & a teacher in Mumbai, who is passionate not only about teaching, but loves painting and embroidery too. She is a brilliant artist who has a taken a passion to revive Indian folk-art forms such as Gond, Warli and Madhubani. Her artworks range from unique embroidery pieces to vibrant paintings or a combination of different techniques.

Read more to know her amazing journey and explore her artwork which ranges from traditional folk, to abstract art using different mediums and materials.

Explore Amrita's Collection

How long have you been painting or practicing art?

Art has been an enduring passion for me as long as I can remember. It started when I was young where my creations were mostly gifts for family & friends. Unfortunately, it was pushed to the back burner as I got busy with other pursuits in life. It is only recently that I have started to reclaim my passion and have started displaying my artwork in public with Dufa.

What are the different types of artwork you create?

I basically practice traditional Indian art forms like Gond, Madhubani, Warli and abstracts, not to forget the Maasai art from Africa. The art of Embroidery is very dear to me and now I have developed my own style of fusing painting with embroidery to create exclusive collectibles.

What inspired you to start painting and how and where did you learn painting?

My parents were inspired by the celebrated artist “Amrita Sher Gill” and thus named me Amrita. Probably that encouraged me to follow the great artist’s footsteps and try out various creative art forms. I did a formal course in painting in my formative years from Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow. My love for embroidery (the most beautiful but dying art form in India) goes back to my childhood. I grew up watching my grandmother and aunts, creating intricate art from needlework.

What inspires your artwork?

Inspiration comes from everyday events that stir different thoughts and emotions. My travels and visits to museums and art galleries, also spark creativity.

Tell us more about the traditional artwork - Gond. Where did you learn? How long does it take to create 1 piece?

I got attracted to the Gond art form due to its vibrant colours and depictions of nature and more so the folklore associated with it. I never start out with a timeline; some intricate pieces may take a week or ten days. My objective is to cherish and enjoy what I am doing and in some strange way,  I am both happy and sad after a piece is finished.

What is your favourite collection and why?

That is not an easy one to answer!! Each piece is dear to my heart and a treasure that I create with love. Each one, I want to display in my own home or gift to a dear one.

Who is your role model in the artistic field and why?

Jamini Roy 's art with its simple lines and earthy colours inspires me. A Jamini Roy exclusive reprint finds a place of pride in my home, despite the numerous paintings (Oils and Acrylics) I have acquired over time.

Amrita’s passion for creating and celebrating meaningful art forms echoes the voice of poet William Morris: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Encourage artists like Amrita to create many more beautiful pieces and help revive our traditional art forms.

Shop from Arts by Amrita

 Follow her on Instagram

About the Author:

Pallavi Dubey is a Content writer and blogger. She also works at Newstrail. Follow her on Instagram