Rendezvous With Michelle Poonawalla

Acclaimed businesswoman, artist and philanthropist Michelle Poonawalla showcases her artistic journey and all that goes behind the making of this glam diva.

- Rachna Virdi

Michelle Poonawalla needs no introduction. Art shows and socialist and philanthropic causes keep this artist-wife of business czar Yohan Poonawalla in the news. Growing up in UK and India, art has always been an integral part of life for Michelle. With a graduate degree in Interior Design and a Bachelor of Arts from the American College, London, her art practice has developed over time and formalised when she had her first show in 2016 at the Gateway School and has since, continued to exhibit her work in solo and group shows in India and internationally.

Whilst Michelle’s artistic style has varied, experimenting with techniques and technology has remained a constant in her approach. She marries a classic paint-on-canvas style with digital technology, to create dynamic 3-D works that have a contemporary sensibility and reflect modernday concerns. Besides being an artist, she has also illustrated and published a well-received children’s book The Adventures of Harvey Mouse-Sleepover alongside her daughter Tania in 2017. In a recent interaction with HAIR, Michelle lets us in on her artistic journey and her beauty and glamour statement.

Art has been an integral part of your life. Whom do you admire most as an artist?

Art has been a part of my upbringing. I have grown up admiring my late grandfather Jehangir Vazifdar who was an illustrious architect and an astonishing artist. His works have been showcased with the likes of great artists such as MF Hussain,

Ram Kumar and FN Souza. His gift to me was the ruler technique of oil painting that is fake-proof. It is a technique that employs oil paint along with a ruler.

Tell us about your professional journey.