Ishika Guha is a self-taught abstract artist with a strong focus on abstract expressionism. She lives in London, originally from Bangladesh. Guha is diverse in her choice of mediums. She allows her colour palettes to run free!
Guha finds inspiration from real-life experiences- from all those big and small visual salads that our day-to-day life makes for us! Her feelings, struggles and hopes give Ishika the boost to paint her socks off! And then there are all those nature-trails, summer-hikes that peek their way out into her works and inspire Ishika to paint something that does not exist anywhere else, something absolutely new and wild- or beautifully crazy!
Guha knows that most of our complex ideas cannot be expressed simply, so her use of unlikely colour-combinations expose an emotional response in her viewers that they may not have previously anticipated. Guha’s colours do mingle together ever so lightly to create all those wordless dialogues. To Guha art is happy, art is free! All those little happy accidents while painting- those delightful messes while splashing her colours out- the whole process of making art and letting things go- is her joyful ride. Art for Guha is nothing but a blissful mess!
Self-taught or art school?
I am a self-taught abstract artist. I absolutely love colours and from my very childhood, I have been splashing colours all over- scribbling, painting- what not! My dad used to take me to children’s art competitions back home in Bangladesh- when I was only little and although I never won anything, to my parents, I was the Picasso! They inspire me a lot every day and they have been the pillar for me-whenever it comes to my paintings. There were days I had to keep on painting just to unlearn the ‘facts’ that made me think ‘I am not good enough’, all those harsh remarks or smirks disappear when I just paint.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Wow, that is a very interesting question, Lisa! I would definitely go for one of Richter’s abstracts, most probably the one from his 1986 collection “ABSTRACT PAINTING 599”. The vibrant colours really do excite me from that piece and his fascinating techniques, powerful movements – just wow! I would definitely love to have it on my wall, yes!
How would you describe your style?
My style is always abstract. I am a mixed-media artist, I mainly use acrylic and oil, and sometimes use watercolours as well. I do wet on dry method and layers- it’s layers after layers- they create the texture for me. All very experimental, as I am self-taught. I do what I feel like- no plans, no rules whatsoever.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
I love to work spontaneously and mainly for myself. It is a joyful ride for me that not only enlightens me but also can be deeply moving at times. It is something that heals me, gives me hope and makes me feel free. I am a night-owl, I paint mainly at night! My creative process is very free-flowing- I let my colours to choose me and let my canvas guide me through.
When I am painting, it is always my raw emotions oozing out and I let them flow! Sometimes the process goes super quick – in just one sitting, but other times it can take days! If for any reason I am struggling with a particular piece, I do not fight with it, as it can make it really uncomfortable for both of us! I just leave it aside, maybe after a day, or a week, or even a month, I can finally go back to it.
And I love to work in silence when it’s dead quiet! It helps me to connect to my emotions and respond only to what feels right in that very moment. I personally like plenty of downtime and I do take time for solitude, which ultimately helps me to do what I do best- toying my colours around.
Is narrative important within your work?
This is a brilliant question, Lisa. I love telling stories through my colours! I think every artwork carries its own story- at least to me. For me, my artworks connect me with my inner soul and it does bring out whatever inner wisdom I have in there! As an artist I feel utterly lucky that I can add whatever tragedies or melodies I like to add in there, on my canvases- just by the choice of my colours or simply by my crazy brushstrokes! It is the world of unlimited possibilities for me to experience- as an artist! It is all about adding those thought-provoking sensations-adding all those feelings and thrills, all those burns and bruises-yes, I really believe that abstract art is a story-teller itself, to me.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
This is a very interesting question again! Yes, I do have a long list of favourite artists from Van Gogh to Monet, From Picasso to Gerhard Richter! I am a huge fan of Richter especially because I find this extraordinary juxtaposition within him- the brilliance of dealing history with realism and photographic reality with complete abstraction! That is why his works are so astounding, utterly inspirational to me!
What or who inspires your art?
I am inspired by the myriads of things around me or within me! I find inspiration from everywhere, or sometimes while staring at a blank canvas – it just comes from nowhere! Some days it can be something from my own life experiences; and other days it is just my feelings, struggles, emotions or hopes – anything that gives me the boost to paint my socks off! I am an explorer by day, always hunting for my inspirations, and by night I am just laying them all down on to my canvases!
I love poems, I write poems myself. So, no wonder many of my artworks are very much influenced by poetries. To me, to be able to paint is to be able to write my own poems in colours- they are my colourful dreams within my dreams! They are my complete bliss.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
My studio is a tiny box-room in my house! It is small, messy, but luckily very well-lit! I feel lucky to be able to work from home as I do not need to travel or anything! It is very convenient for my lifestyle. After a busy day being a mum and then other life-stuff, I go back to my happy space where I paint my heart out while my daughter is fast asleep. Joy!
Do you have any studio rituals?
I do not have any specific rituals as such. I paint mainly at night and when it’s absolutely dead-quiet around me- as I said earlier. I am very carefree as an artist and I do not go by any rules when it comes to my paintings. It is always like an adventure to me where I just play around with my colours making my own unconscious conscious! Sometimes my works look like child’s play, some other times they can surprise me with their fancy sophisticated vibes. Messy or pretty, they are all my babies. They are my psychological self-exploration that love to stay out of any practical analysis or meaning-making!
What are you working on currently?
I am currently experimenting on some neon paints and making a lot of smaller art pieces with neon in them. The bright neon does make me smile a mile wide, so just loving working with them at the moment!
Where can we buy your art?
I am on Saatchiart.com and selling a few pieces there. I am also on Instagram @rainbowsnfireflies, always uploading new works there. My website is www.ishikaguha.com if you need to know more details about me or my works!
