Entering Kanika Jain Gupta’s cosy, colourful studio, Iktaara, in Seshadripuram is like stepping into a wondrous world. The graphic artist steals time from her day job of designing invitations, stationery and doing murals to work on quirky, art-inspired collections. The 35-year-old topper from JJ School of Art creates dinnerware, notebooks, cushions, coasters, art prints, pop grips and greeting cards.
After the fun Kumbhakaran Ke Haseen Sapne, which featured among other things brightly coloured beanbags, Kanika’s new collection is called Circus in the Universe. “I absolutely love both,” says Kanika. “I love the universe, the stars, planets, the sun and I am moon-obsessed. As far as the circus goes, I love the playfulness, costumes of the artistes, stage set up, vintage touch, various performances, clowns and their red noses. I thought fusing the two would be a visual delight.”
Also part of the collection are umbrellas in black, white and blue with elephants, goggle-eyed fish and other magical creatures running amok on them. The large colourful umbrellas are just the thing to brighten up a rainy day. Kanika admits the umbrellas were difficult to create. “It was all in an experimental stage, so the volumes I needed to make were lower. It is difficult to source a vendor who would make the umbrellas as per my needs and on time.”
The plates are definite conversation pieces. “The porcelain plates are mix and match. We have six designs, three with black backgrounds and three with white. They all have playful illustrations that add stories over a meal.”
Then there are pop grips. “These accessories are extremely convenient for phones, so we thought of a collection in this range.” You could have a red-nosed clown propping up your phone while you catch the latest action.
Kanika says she loves exploring materials and surfaces. “I am itching to make figurines now.” After her two colouring books for adults — Messages from Nature and Gods and Goddesses of India , Kanika says there are more in the pipeline.
For the festive season there are prints, torans and ready rangoli packs. Visit Iktaara.com or the studio at F5, Shalimar Galaxy, Seshadripuram
