Moments can be encapsulated in frames and can’t be easily shrugged off in time with First Impression, Bhavna Jasra’s business venture. This 3D wall-mountable art makes models of hands or feet of your loved ones. A former marketing consultant, Bhavna’s tryst with art began serendipitously when she was on a break in London and fell in love with this art at her friend’s house. She learned the art, made timeless impressions of her daughter on day one of her birth, and started her work.
As a decade swept by, many A-list celebrities have become long-time patrons of First Impression. Be it the Ambani families, Shilpa Shetty’s kid, actor Dhanush’s caricature, Sanjay Leela Bhansali holding hands with his mom, Shri Ravi Shankar’s feet or memorabilia for the Indian cricket team, Bhavna Jasra has done them all.
Imprints at First Impression are taken in a specialised mousse that sets in seconds, and then require a series of processes for few days before the final product takes shape. The 3D casts can be plated with any material of one’s choice, according to one’s budget — bronze, silver, pearls, gold, along with various accessories and pictures. Every little detail is given attention to. Teakwood is used for frames and the materials are said to be non-toxic.
Her work, each frame with its obvious intimacy and vibrant charm, echoes her passion. “This is a gift where your heart is in your art. People cherish this for years, so excellence and longevity of my art is top priority,” says the artist who was on a recent visit to Chennai.
Parents get castings of their kids who stay far away, kids get impressions of their parents to preserve a symbol of their affection. She has made casts of more than 900 babies on day one of their birth, besides brides, young couples, siblings, twins, respected guru’s feet, friends who want to immortalise their special bond. She also gets requests to cast imprints of pets, which she declines.
An inherent part of her creative process is to meet people, gauge their lives and tastes through conversations and make aesthetic frames, which aren’t chosen from a brochure. “Emotions are really important to me which translate into my work. The frame has to call out to you.”
There has been an attitude shift in the last two years, in her experience — people are leaning towards gifts with sentiments and don’t mind going overboard. With her art currently featuring in Kokilaben and Hinduja Hospitals, Mumbai, her dream project would be to be in every maternity home in India. “I want every parent to experience this joy.”
(For details, call 2846-4091)
