Call of the quirk

Text by Huzan Tata

Create your own stories from artist Haren Vakil’s zany doodles at his latest show

We all loved doodling in our notebooks during boring lectures or meetings, and for some lucky ones, these doodles have turned into real masterpieces. Canada-based artist Haren Vakil, a graduate in architecture from Baroda’s MS University, is no different. Each of the “doodles”, as he likes to call his drawings, is filled with humour, and tells a story to the viewer. His latest works, a collection of drawings on paper, are currently on exhibit at Artisans’ gallery, at a show being curated by Jasmine Shah Varma, aptly titled Delightfully Absurd. Vakil says, ‘Along the way the doodles encountered colours, textures, form and shapes and morphed into various objects, features and creatures, birds and beasts, organizing themselves into unexpected configurations and compositions. They do not have any particular theme or narrative but I hope that viewers will participate in the adventures and interpret the images as they experience them arriving at their own narratives.’

5 Questions with the artist, Haren Vakil

Artistic Motivations “I create art because I enjoy making art. My art is whimsical and it’s fun. It is not consciously motivated by social or political issues.”
Inspirations “I am inspired by many things; it is not possible to state everything. However I do enjoy surreal artists and, the city of Bombay also inspires me. I am fond of indigenous and folk art.”
On the wall at home “I collect Canadian native and folk art. And I have prints of famous artists such as Hieronymus Bosch and Picasso. Basically, I have an eclectic taste and I pick up things here and there.”
Concerns that find a place in your art “Like everyone else, one is concerned about the environment and poverty in the world. In my art the absurdities of life, that seem reasonable to most, find expression. My drawings evoke the chaos and hustle bustle of urban life.”
If not an artist you would be…“I would continue to be an architect and urban designer.”

Delightfully Absurd is on display at Artisans’, Mumbai (52-56 Dr V B Gandhi Marg, Rhythm House Lane, Kala Ghoda) from January 8-15, 2015.