Sadaf Shaikh
Amidst packed schedules, bursts of inspiration, euphoric successes and unexpected snags, what makes some of India’s most ingenious minds tick? For many, it is the sanctum of their workspace that fosters a fertile environment for the creative muse to visit. In this series, 10 aesthetes—some of whom subscribe to the doctrine of practised minimalism, while others favour the tenets of calculated maximalism—set out the functional tools, sentimental tchotchkes, nostalgic postcards and visually pleasing objets that elevate their professional lives.
A visual artist from Mumbai, Rithika Merchant’s evocative paintings and collages made using a combination of watercolour and cut paper elements explore myths, stories and ideas shared by different cultures, featuring creatures and symbolism that are an integral part of her personal visual vocabulary. Nature plays a pivotal role in her work and is emphasised by the use of organic shapes and non-saturated colours. Drawing on 17th-century botanical prints and folk art, Merchant has created a robust body of work that is visually linked to our collective pasts.
The 36-year-old artist has exhibited extensively since her graduation in Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design in New York including a number of solo exhibitions in India, France, Spain, Germany and the United States. She has also collaborated with Chloé, a French high-end luxury fashion house, on multiple collections for which she was awarded the Vogue India Young Achiever of the Year Award at its Women of the Year Awards in 2018, in addition to being named one of Vogue Magazine’s VogueWorld 100 Creative Voices.
Below, Rithika Merchant gives us a peek into her altar of activity:
