Transcending Artistic Media

Multi-disciplinary artist Aaquib Wani leads Shivpriya Bajpai into his expansive world of solution-driven art and design

- Shivpriya Bajpai

It was at the collection launch of fashion designer Anjul Bhandari in New Delhi last year that I was introduced to Aaquib Wani for the first time. He had transformed the venue into an enchanting garden of 5,000 sholapith roses, emblematic of the designer's Awadh-inspired collection. Besides the pain-staking details of his installation, two aspects stayed with me. One, the smile of contentment on his face despite having worked on it overnight, and two, the conscious inclusion of his team in every conversation of acknowledgement with viewers. It didn't take much digging to unearth the vibrant world of Wani. From spaces, festivals, sets, interiors, interactive installations and weddings to visual and graphic design-he has transcended every medium to create magic. His most recent work was at the international music festival Lollapalooza in Mumbai in January. In an exclusive conversation, the self-taught experiential artist shares an insight into his blended aesthetic palettes, absorbed through his Kashmiri heritage and New Delhi upbringing.

ROOTS IN KASHMIR