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A common misconception about this wondrous talent that all humans hold is that it is assumed that creativity belongs only to certain people. A data analyst that turns numbers into tales, a chef that turns the humble carrot into a Michelin star dish, or a teacher that manages to make even long division easy and interesting - they are all immensely creative.
It may help to understand that creativity is never bound by restraints and that its implementation is unique to everyone.
Maltese physician, psychologist, and actor Edward de Bono had said aptly, “There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.”
At Homegrown, we have always been committed to exploring people’s relationships with their creativity. This time around, we thought to reach out to those who have managed to tap into their creativity and extract from it all that creates beauty in various forms.
Three creators – Naureen Bindra, Shantanu Gangu, and Ritvik Takkar – gave us their all-important insights on decoding creativity, and just how they make the magic happen.
How do you perceive, decode, and convey creativity uniquely, particularly in your art form?
25-year-old Naureen Bindra, who dabbles in various art forms including graphic art, creative direction, and styling, lets us in on how her introverted personality (sometimes looked at as restrictive) led her to open up creatively.
“Being an introvert and an extremely shy person, I often find it hard to communicate with people. But exploring fashion and art has helped me communicate almost everything that’s within me. It has helped me make others understand my potential. Being someone who has struggled with self-esteem issues developing a unique sense of style, my graphic design skills helped me raise my self-esteem.”
— Naureen Bindra
Shantanu Gangu from Nashik, on the other hand, had always been expressive. As he grew up, he used Instagram to his strength to continue expressing creatively. He tells us the significance of creativity being universal.
“By just being myself, and with a lot of trial and error, I put myself out there which seemed to be impossible. I put out what I always wanted to be. Art does not have any gender, that’s the best part about it. I love how form, colours, and life come together and create something very extraordinary. I’m creating this amazing moodboard of art and culture fused together in my small world.”
— Shantanu Gangu
Visual artist, cinematographer, graphic, and UI designer Ritvik Takkar’s creativity went through change with age. He explores its evolution over time and takes us through that journey.
“In school, my books were more filled with scribblings and doodles than notes. I have always liked drawing and doodling — it was my escape from classes — but I was never that great at sketching or drawing. Later in life, I learnt photoshop and figured that I could indeed create art without the traditional method of drawing from hand. Then, there was no stopping me! I found some brilliant artists on Instagram like @lunatico @outrunyouth who inspired me to create the kind of digital artworks that I create now. I was immensely influenced by the idea of turning photographs into beautiful artworks.”
— Ritvik Takkar
How has your life (in its collective of experiences, emotions, influences and relationships) shaped the creativity you chase and pursue for your art on a daily basis?
Naureen, who uses her expertise in various art forms and imagery to express her emotions, tells us how she looks inward to create art.
“As a kid I found it hard to express myself. But, awakening to my creative expression in my teens, I developed an interest towards art and fashion at a very early stage in life. I explore structures, colours, and shapes to constantly re-connect with my inner self and simultaneously narrate a story of textures and cuts. Both, my graphic art, and my personal style are ever-evolving and consist of a lot of colour and structure. I find art to be the best way to express myself and my emotions.”
— Naureen Bindra
21-year-old Shantanu’s queer self had a rough childhood, and expression often took a backseat. Learning to turn his experiences into strength, he pursued his creative journey.
“Being queer, it was always difficult to express myself. I used to get bullied and very disturbed, everyone around me told me I don’t belong or don’t exist but as I grew up, I got the confidence from the women that I have in my life, and friends who encouraged me. All the ups and downs in my life made me stronger and develop a thick skin. My experiences whether bad or good, I turn them into ideas. I was very weak and a numb kid, and I hated that feeling but I learnt from it and became strong and bold.”
— Shantanu Gangu
New Delhi native Ritvik, whose work consists of neon designs, vaporwave, and dreamy creations, take us through the mix of themes and inspirations behind his art.
“My work involves a mix of themes like freedom, cyberpunk, vaporwave, futuristic that are/have been influenced by my environment, imagination, and to try something new and different. The artists that have been my inspiration have also shaped how I approach my art style. I play around a lot with colours that I personally find a connection with, as well as neons, which add to the mood of the world that I want to build.”
— Ritvik Takkar
Find Naureen Bindra here.
Find Shantanu Gangu here.
Find Ritvik Takkar here.
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