Arani Halder: Art as a Medium for Cultural & Political Expression

*People, Period.* Mixed media (fabric, paper, ink, yarn). Created by: Arani Halder and Anamika Ananth.

Based in New York City, artist Arani Halder creates work that inspires viewers to truly observe the world and their relationship to the larger systems within it. Through experimentation, Arani has discovered an art practice where she can create conceptual art as both an artist and designer as a means of cultural and political expression.

How did your creative journey begin?

Growing up, my father was a huge inspiration to me. He is a very talented artist but never got the opportunity to pursue it as a professional career. I fell in love with sketching, drawing and painting from looking at him working on numerous paintings over the years. After I graduated school, he was my biggest supporter and motivated me to be an artist and follow my passion. I have always felt very strongly about various social and cultural issues and art has given me a medium to express my opinions and inspire people to do the same.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Having grown up in India, most of the art, design and culture I was exposed to was primarily South Asian. Most South Asian art is extremely rich and diverse, not just in terms of mediums and materials but also the content they depict. I have experimented with a lot of these diverse mediums such as fabrics, papers and inks. At the same time, my art also draws on a lot of social and political issues prevalent in India. I aim to use my work to engage in the current social discourse and use it as a means of cultural and political expression.

How has your work shifted and evolved over time?

Most of my initial work was relatively more “traditional”. I used to work primarily with paintings and sculpture. Over time, as I began to experiment with materials and mediums, I started to blur the lines between fine arts and design. I now believe that I am equal parts artist and designer, in the sense that my work while being artistic and conceptual is produced into work with a designer’s sensibility that aims to tackle the issues at hand. My goal is to inspire people to look more carefully at the world around them, and to be able to contextualize themselves within larger systems.

What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?

My studio is primarily at home. Though I am an early riser, I have created some of my best work after sundown. I find that evenings and nights are more peaceful and there are less distractions; which allows me to give my undivided attention to my work. I like to start out my projects with a lot of research and analysis on the topics that drive the piece. I like making a lot of preliminary rough sketches and experimenting with color and materials before actually diving into the project. Though I am someone who prefers to plan things out, a lot of my work ends up being created more spontaneously and organically.

Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?

Moving to New York has influenced my art and design skills in the best way possible. New York is arguably one of the largest cultural centers in the world; it is home to hundreds of art institutions, including a vast array of museums, galleries, performing arts centers etc. There is an abundance of creativity and opportunities everywhere you look here. Over the six years I have spent in the city, I have met and worked with some incredibly talented artists and mentors who have not inspired and motivated me, but also helped cultivate new ideas and practices.

Additionally, I love talking to different people, understanding their practice and techniques and learning about their interests and thoughts. I also try to observe object around me at a micro level; the symmetry/asymmetry, colors, textures, patterns etc. around us are oftentimes a hidden source of inspiration. The social and political state of the world is also an important source of creativity for me. I try to incorporate concepts like pluralism and autonomy in my work as a means to open windows into the lives of diverse people and the broader socio-political movements that shape them.

How has social media impacted your art career?

Art is a medium of reflection and change. Artists are capable of holding up a mirror to society and give singular voices a much larger reach. They have the power to push communities to engage thoughtfully and make steps toward social progress. I think social media is a great way to make art more accessible. Artists are now able to embrace the interconnected nature of social media using it not only as a source of inspiration, but also as a means to document and share their work. Though it may have certain negative connotations, I believe that social media can really create a more equitable and accessible future for the art industry.

What are your future goals and aspirations?

I am trying to work on more passion projects moving forward! I love collaborating with my fellow artists and designers and coming up with new and innovative ideas together. I also want to experiment with more unusual materials and mediums and really push the boundaries of book making.

In fact, fellow artist Anamika Ananth and I are planning on writing and designing a cookbook that reclaims South Asian cuisine. It’s a response to how a lot of POC foods have been appropriated by other cultures; this artist’s book will inversely add a South Asian flair to western cuisines and reimagine their staples.

Victoria FryJanuary 14, 2023