letters from the artist.

Hear from the artist about her style of work, her inspiration, and her vision for Atelier//Shibani.

hi!

I describe myself as many things. Among them are painter, writer, and most importantly, I’m a curious person. I go looking for things that don’t seem to have immediate or obvious answers, and these explorations give rise to stories. I use words to express some stories, and for others, I find that I have to reach out to the visual abstract.

In some ways it seems strange to me that I am drawn to both those seemingly extremely opposing spaces; my writing is objectively and universally comprehended, while my art is best experienced through feeling it. Still, on deeper reflection, both are valid and complementary. It’s a full circle.

where in the world did i come from?

I’ve been writing ever since I’ve had the ability to string words together with a pencil, and I’ve been painting since even before that. Self expression and thereby, connection, has always been a deep need for me, for as long as I can remember. It helped that my parents and my environment encouraged me.

It also helps that I come from a wonderfully creative family. My father, Milind Nayak, was an internationally renowned painter, my mother is a designer and fashion entrepreneur, my aunt is a Bharatnatyam dancer and teacher, my younger sister is an artist and VO genius, and my partner is a writer, director and comic. Clearly, self expression is a prerequisite for this family!

For my whole life, creativity was swimming all around me like little tendrils of magic, yet for over 17 years I gave myself to the corporate sector. Finally, a few years ago, I slowly found my way back to a creative life.

so now?​

I’m a full time artist and art entrepreneur.

My art is inspired by the imperfect. I like squiggly lines, messes, and abstraction. I’m also inspired by the inexplicable. Layered and complex things like emotions, feelings and the dynamic in relationships interest me. People and their inner stories intrigue me. And this is what you’ll see playing out in my art.

In 2024, my focus will be on continuing to paint through these different themes, building my art label, Atelier//Shibani, and its collectibles, and working on collabs & workshops with different creative partners.

As I transitioned into becoming a full time artist, one question kept coming back to me:

WHAT DOES ART MEAN TO ME?

For me, art is experiencing or witnessing something that moves me.

For me, art is experiencing or witnessing something that moves me.

And this became Atelier//Shibani’s mission:

With this art label, Atelier//Shibani, the aim is to make my art travel. It will move from the canvas it was originally on, to limited-edition, art collectibles you can own. Things that you can wear or hold or even write in. Think of it like this… a painting you love transported onto… a beautiful dress, or on a cup to have tea in, or even on a notebook you journal your thoughts in.