Having completed her under graduation in Bachelors of Arts in Rachana Sansad, an esteemed university for arts, Aarushi went on to complete her Masters of Arts in University of New South Whales (UNSW) in Sydney. The Fashion Enterprise takes you through an exclusive conversion with the designer turned artist.
TFE- Why did you decide to become an artist?
Aarushi Kumar (AK)– The reason I decided to become an artist has nothing to do with what would make me the most money, or what I was “talented” at, or even I necessarily always enjoyed the most. It was simply something that, in my gut, I just knew it was the right choice. Without anything better to go on, that’s what I relied on.
TFE- What is art to you?
AK– For me fine arts is to produce, discover myself and my passion, through my visual expression; and be able to showcase my emotions, and a relationship with myself as to what amuses me and inspires me to become who I am. The more I engrossed myself into art, the more I started to discover myself.
TFE- What is your take on Fashion X Art influences?
AK– My thesis for rotated around the idea on how the world fashion and art are inter-connected. The world of fashion has overlapped for many decades – as have their star players. From Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol to designers like Jeremy Scott and more labels today, all have highlighted the essence of fashion and art coming together. Fashion too shares a place in evoking emotions and making statements which links it directly with art.
TFE- Can you talk about your art work which was inspired by your garment designs?
AK– After completing dual courses in fashion design and styling, I gained a lot of knowledge in this field which also helped me to look at art differently. This painting was an inspiration which came from my womenswear collection where the background is influenced by the works of Picasso’s cubism phase. As the collection was highly inspired by his work, the only way I could do justice to this was to illustrate it through a painting.
TFE- What can an aspiring artist like yourself take away from this conversation?
AK– I am extraordinarily blessed to do what I love for living. I turned hobby into a profession and then into a lifestyle. While I don’t claim any profound wisdom nor that my part is the best one, I thought some aspiring artist out there might be encouraged to see the road that someone else has taken, it is a difficult journey but also a blessing when you are doing something that you love every day for the rest of your life.
