Using the theme of coexistence of democracy and diversity, Parliament House will wear new colours on its walls. So will Jaipur airport.
Paintings and murals have filled empty spaces and the walls of Delhi. Whether outer wall of the metro station or simply a road side art work at Lodhi Road or Shankar Market, you can get a glimpse of it everywhere. Step into any place and you will be greeted by colors.
Wall art at Hauz Khas metro station
Artist K Rajesh who is behind such murals that brighten up the daily commute of many is at work not just in Delhi but outside too.
This Delhi-based artist is using different art forms such as installations, paintings, sculptures and wall murals through his new venture — East Craft Design. He specialises in creating art murals in public spaces and in big-size government infrastructure projects.
Wall art at the ITC Maurya
In 2003, he bagged the first artwork project for Inderlok Metro. In spite of the presence of stalwarts, the project was well received and appreciated by all. From there on, there was no looking back. Rajesh has done murals in Delhi Metro for Moti Bagh, Kashmere Gate ISBT, Uttam Nagar East, Kaushambi, Vaishali, and Kailash Colony among others. He has also done artwork at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3, multilevel car parking and in Delhi High Court.
On asking what he thinks of wall art and mural trend in India, Rakesh says, “Every building in the Delhi NCR region has the option to invest one per cent of the total building cost in art work. You can see a lot of art work in government buildings.”
The entire redevelopment of Delhi has seen much involvement of art work, be it in high-rise condos of East Kidwai Nagar or metro stations.
After completing degree from College of Art, he started working with a big advertising agency for exposure. But his passion for creativity and keenness on doing something different inspired him to pursue an entrepreneurial journey. In the year 1996, he established East Craft Designs, a studio of its kind with a group of artists. The company now caters to huge clientele for paintings, wall murals, and art objects.
Celtic Tree of Life, PGI Chandigarh
Talking about challenges, Rakesh says, “Professionals in Mumbai and Bangalore often come out on weekends to paint city walls. This culture affects artists from earning money out of this profession. Clients often ask someone to do it for free instead.”
Similar projects have been taken up in nooks and crannies of the city, be it in Lodi Road or Shankar Market to name a few places, driven by NGO initiative.
“I feel this a profession. People doing this voluntarily for take it as a hobby but for us, this is where we earn our bread and butter from,” he adds.
Recently, he has completed work for PGI Chandigarh, where designed artworks like hand painted background, relief brass, and copper murals were used.
The theme of the art form is Celtic Tree of Life, which represents the roots and branches of a tree woven together without end, showing the continuous cycle of life on earth.
