Dibang Valley

A handpainted art piece of conservation for the Idu Mishmi tribe and the magical biodiversity of Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.

A hand painting created for The Irregular Times magazine in 2021 titled “*Existing Edens”* for their Issue 02 Landmarks and Landmines. *Enter the world of the Idu Mishmi tribe and the carefully balancing act they maintain in order to preserve the Dibang Valley and all it’s beings.*

Dibang valley is a land I have grown to love virtually. I look forward to the day when I can ground my feet on the magical land that I have been dreaming of. The biodiversity I am learning that exists there is awe inspiring, like the adorable red panda, 6 morphs of the asiatic golden cat and the elusive clouded leopard whose spots I find extraordinarily unique.

The Etalin Hydroelectric project seeks to destroy over 2,70,000 trees in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. Scientists are opposing the hydropower project and have emphasised the dangerous ecological impact it will have on our Earth. We need to be mindful of the rise in zoonotic diseases. The zoonosis we face today, Covid-19, is rooted in the destruction of our natural world. These biodiverse lands are home to innumerable endangered species and must be protected!

Living creatures that we are yet to discover thrive on the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh. We have this beautiful earth to live on, together. With incredible health and love and balance we may feel when we connect with the Idu Mishmi tribe who love and protect their indigenous heritage and the flora, fauna and funga that live among them. I can’t wait for the gratefulness that will radiate through my soul when I can finally feel the language of the breathing beings of Dibang Valley.

The Irregular times q&A

1. When did you know that you wanted to educate people about biodiversity through your art?

I remember I was only three years old when I first discovered fungi under the wooden bridge of our old home. Trees and encounters with living beings always fascinated my curiosity. Even as a child, my art intuitively expressed depictions of our beautiful natural world. But it wasn’t until I was sixteen that grew aware of the plight of wildlife trafficking and truly understood the gravity of the real world. Elephants have always been one of my favourite animals and it was heartbreaking to learn that an integral and magnificent creature; the gardeners of our forests, were being killed for their vital ivory tusks - all this just for the greed of human consumption. That was the moment I decided I would use my art as a powerful tool to educate people and protect the magical flora, fauna and funga that live among us.

2. Which artists inspire you? why?

I love diverse artists from all around our world. I could go on for days naming artists that inspire me, so instead I will share the kind of artist that inspires me. What really intrigues me about an artist is the ability to create art that is an expression of their true self. I love authenticity and resilience in an artist. Some of my favourite artists create vibrant colour palettes and are people who aren’t afraid to push boundaries and tell honest stories of their lives, cultures, heritage and traditions of our natural world.

Perhaps I will name one artist, my earliest inspiration, my aunt Kasturi, who I loving call Bua. She deeply studied beautiful shells of the sea and I would watch her, and she would let me sit and paint with her. I am so grateful for the time we shared playing with colour and learning the stokes of a paint brush when I was very little.

3. What is the philosophy behind your creative expression?

I recognised that the time I have on earth is valuable and I love to spend my life creating art that is meaningful and fulfilling. Art for me is a great way to connect with people and communicate important stories that align with my vision with love and honesty. I enjoy bringing light and colour into the lives of living beings. I create art that embodies longevity, balance and benevolence and empowers people to cherish our Earth’s thriving natural resources. Art that is inclusive of diverse cultures and builds robust meaningful connections to each other and to the ancient wisdom of indigenous tribes. My art holds empathy for every living being and is conscious of the magic that exists within and all around us. The philosophy behind my creative expression is one that brings us all back together in harmony.

4. Do you ever experience creative blocks? how do you overcome them?

Sometimes I do, but these are quite rare because I am almost always brainstorming through the ideas that evolve in my mind. I find inspiration all around me. I allow my thoughts to flow and they naturally come to me. I believe the best way to overcome the blocks are by slowing down and listening to our senses. We have all this magic and creativity within us, it is important to get in touch with our own intuition and practice the consciousness of what it is we are being called to explore, even if that means taking a step back from the art to then come back with clearer vision.

5. What are the key elements in creating good art?

Being true to oneself, taking time to explore our world and cultures, spending time in nature and tuning into the magic of consciousness. Getting really curious and observant about the things that matter and things that leave us with a feeling of warmth.

6. What are you working on at the moment?

I am designing and creating a curriculum for young minds that cultivates love, exploration and curiosity. A conscious personalised educational space that encourages gratitude, self awareness, relational intelligence and takes children back to the grass roots by expanding value for our magnificent natural world and developing a deeper understanding of art, the food chain and our circular Earth.I am also working on our hand printed seasonal fruit packaging for Mjöl Bake House.

7. What is your creative process when you're working on a sensitive piece related to an environmental project?

It is important for me that I truly understand and connect with the places, people and wild creatures that I seek to investigate. It is therefore crucial that I spend a significant amount of time ( a minimum of one month ) in research and experimentation. Ideally I would love to travel, explore and document my observations and learnings of the biodiversity and tribes that are indigenous to the land. However, due to Covid-19, I have resorted to connecting with experts who care for the wildlife species or conversationists who are immersed in the cultures and forests. There is immense value in the time I take to research, I learn so much and gather information which then informs and inspires my art expression. I then spend time sketching, illustrating and designing the layout of my piece. I experiment with colour palettes, moods and textures. My creative process varies depending on the kind of environment, project and medium I choose. Although somehow, my art always evolves into a mixed media creation. I believe it is important for people to know the realities of the world today, no matter how sensitive or provoking it may be. Which is why I always illustrate the truth, because when we are aware, we can empower people to take action and make a change and that is the intention behind what I do.