With Abhishek Dodiya: Urban Dreams

Background and Inspiration

Can you tell me a bit about your early journey?

“My interest in art began by watching my uncle, who was a painter focusing on commissioned work, largely portraits. As a boy, I visited him daily to learn. In the evenings, I helped my father in his workshop, working with metal used to make beds. My job was mainly to scrape rust from the rods. I enjoyed painting and hoped to be like my uncle one day.”
Over time, Abhishek began assisting his uncle with art commissions, working as a painter with him for 15 years. However, to expand their client base, Ahmedabad became a strategic choice. At 27, he moved there to study, opting for a teaching diploma due to age restrictions for a Bachelor’s degree. So far everything he knew was either self-thought or things he had learnt from his uncle. Encouraged by his teacher and mentor, Abhishek eventually pursued a Bachelor’s and then a Master’s in sculpture from
MSU Baroda. “Sculpture gave me an additional dimension and the freedom to express my language,” he reflects. “Slowly, painting became less a part of my practice.”

The COVID-19 pandemic brought him back home, where he rediscovered welding in his father’s workshop. “I enjoyed it immensely,” Abhishek recalls. “Scrap and other metal material were readily available, and it was here that I created my work for my final Master’s presentation, which was sadly cancelled due to COVID-19. Fortunately, I later showcased the same work at the Art Incept show in November 2020.”

Influences and Mediums

What or who has been your biggest inspiration in your artistic journey?

“My uncle has been my greatest inspiration. I am an artist because of him, and at one point, I wanted to be just like him. He worked for celebrities and did commissioned work for large corporations. Working with him was very exciting. However, as I grew up, I realized each artist has their own identity and journey, and I had to find mine. Studying art formally was my way of finding mine.”

Tell me a little about your medium and technique.

“I like to work with metal – both new and old scarps – and weld them together to build my urban landscapes. Welding started to excite me during my Master’s programme. Given my family’s involvement in welding and furniture creation, I had in-house knowledge and huge support in this area. Living close to the shipbreaking industry, I had access to exciting materials like scrap wire mesh in different designs and colours. The availability of material allowed me to focus on my expression. Despite using both new material and scraps, the rusting process is particularly special to me. As a child, I was forced to help my father scrape and remove rust from metal material being used for beds. I spent hours and hours scraping and cleaning and treating the metal. It felt like a trap, but it taught me to master the rusting process. Now, it’s an integral part of my work. Controlling the colour and getting these beautiful tones of burnt orange add a unique element to my pieces.`

Evolution and Future Directions

You started off as a painter. Do you ever think of going back to painting? How do you think you can bring some of the painting back into your current work?

“It is my endeavour to bring some of what I learned in painting into my work at some point. As a sculptor, I have a great understanding of colours because of my painting experience. I hope to bring this all together over time, possibly incorporating materials like coloured glass.”

Struggles and Inspirations

What was your biggest time of struggle?

“The time from when I left home at 27 to when I started working was the toughest time, though mostly financially. It was a time of learning, exploring, and experimenting. While it was the most vulnerable time of my life, it was also exciting and challenging.”

What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your artwork? How do your personal experiences and identity influence your art?

“My surroundings heavily influence my subject matter,” Abhishek explains. “I live surrounded by construction and I observe daily workers closely. The lives of labourers interest me a lot —their lives, homes, and ability to find happiness in the smallest of things. I am most inspired by human psychology. My first series, ‘Tagaras,’ symbolizes the lives of construction workers and the transfer of knowledge, much like passing a tagara from one person to another.”
Houses hold the knowledge of those who stay in them. Most of the houses I create represent those of people from lower-income backgrounds. I love their ingenuity in using scrap and plastic to create functional spaces. Despite their circumstances, they find happiness in little things. For instance, I lived with a relative for some time – where his bathroom was so small that they had to put a bucket between their legs while bathing. The house was small but their hearts were big and they found happiness in a
simple cup of maggie.”
In his recent circular works, Abhishek leaves empty areas within the circles to symbolize unfulfilled desires and dreams. “Human desires are endless, no matter where they live—in a mansion or a small hut. These desires and emptiness can coexist with the fun we find in life.”

Can you tell us about a recent piece you’ve completed? What was the inspiration behind it?

“My recent works are a series of circular cityscapes focusing on the endless cycle of human desire and its impact on life. These works are on display at the Art Incept exhibition Crossroads. Unfulfilled dreams are symbolized by incomplete circles and gaps in my art. These pieces, like my other works, delve into the effects of urban life on the human psyche, exploring themes of desire, existence, cities, and their inhabitants. There is always a happy undertone to my works because I see people having the ability to find happiness in very difficult spaces.”

Future Aspirations

Are there any new mediums or techniques you’d like to explore in the future?

“I was a painter for 15 years before my formal education in sculpture. I have been creating sculptures for the last eight years. I would at some point want to find a way of bringing some of my painting skills into my sculptures. I also want to play with other materials like glass and wood, bringing in new textures and materials into artwork.”

Advice for Aspiring Artists

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?

“I have only one piece of advice: Don’t give up! There are times when it looks hopeless, but if you continue with your practice, at some point, you will find sustenance and joy through it.”

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Abhishek Dodiya’s journey from painting to sculpture, influenced by personal experiences and the lives of those around him, has led to a unique artistic voice. His work, rich in texture and symbolism, reflects the endless cycle of human desire and the resilience of the human spirit. With future plans to integrate his painting skills into his sculptures, Abhishek continues to evolve as an artist, driven by a passion for expression and a deep connection to his roots.