Meet Mumbai's Hottest Upcoming Contemporary Artist Avantika Mathur

Avantika Mathur trained at the University of the Philippines and later returned to India to pursue an MFA. She then went on to launch an extremely successful art career and has a fashion project in the pipeline. Currently, she travels internationally with her art. Here’s a tête-a-tête with the woman who loves being called ‘mad’!

Avantika Mathur at the Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2015

How did you become an artist?
My interest in art is since birth. Pen and paper were more fun than playing with dolls for me. One could easily find me in a corner doodling away for hours, happy in my own world. Even at school, the art room was my favorite haunt in between classes or after school, helping out teachers with art/craft projects or décor for a school event. I was art editor of my school magazine throughout.
Art has always [been] my preferred medium of communication. My getaway retreat. My place to seek personal solitude. Art didn’t grow on me. I chose art to be my career partner. So far, both of us have stayed truthful to each other.

‘Searching for my destiny in the stars’. Acrylic on canvas. Astrology series

‘Relish My Art,’ upcoming food-based series

International Women’s Day at Carter Road, Bandra

What’s next?
Next — go bigger and beyond.
Bigger in terms of redefining my canvas. To work in 3-D space or on unlimited surfaces. Graffiti, murals, installations [or] assemblage is one of my next destinations.
In parallel, I am starting my own fashion line. Traditionally, fashion has used art. I envisage to use fashion as my art medium — to see my art growing legs and walk the street.

‘Willing Flesh’— Installation and performance piece by Avantika Mathur

What is your dream project?
A surreal artwork big enough to walk through is [the] true manifestation of my dream art project.
This artwork will be a sweet harmony of all mediums in which I work — canvas, fabric, acrylic, fiber glass, etc. — a larger-than-life installation.
There is absolute clarity in my mind on the concept, image of how it will finally look like, and what all will go into making it. I am waiting for an opportune moment to execute it.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
Undoubtedly, Salvador Dali. He is my idol. What a surreal art genius who did it all — from painting to movies, installations to sculpture, space and time to back and beyond. He is the man!!!
How would you describe yourself as an artist in 80 characters?
Rare confluence of a gregarious person in a reasonable artist @avtocool

Quickfire Question series:
White or Black?
Black
Apple or Android’
Apple
Picasso or Matisse?
Picasso
Coffee or tea?
Tea
Interview by Gayatri Sapru

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