Life & Work with Aayushi Khowala of LA / NYC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aayushi Khowala

Hi Aayushi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Calcutta, India. My mother is a textile designer and my interests have largely been shaped by the creative environments I was surrounded by when I was growing up. My mom’s workshop/studio was in our home, and I spent so many of my formative years immersed in that space learning how to sew, weave, knit, crochet, draw, etc. All of this informs my life now – my way of thinking, my artistic practice, and my understanding of materials.

I moved to the US in 2015 for university, went to RISD to study Printmaking and Textiles. Now I work as a designer and product developer in the fashion industry, whist also having a personal studio practice on the side.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. It is difficult to forge one’s way in America with limited resources, and most importantly without a visa. I have constantly in the last ten years, and even now, struggled with finding stability in my environment knowing I don’t have a permanent residency here. I am currently on the O1 artist visa, however applying for one is a huge undertaking – time wise, financially, and also emotionally.

But I do have to say the whole process is also very rewarding. It is a direct confrontation with what I value in life, and makes me feel motivated to fight for said things. It is also inspiring to be part of this thriving community of artist and designers, makes you feel part of something bigger.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as a designer and product developer in fashion, and have a personal studio practice on the side.

My personal studio practice happens mostly from home, and is a slow process. I like to work in an intricate manner, in a way that emphasises detail. I work a lot in graphite and slowly develop imagery through repetition and iteration. Some of these drawings I transpose onto textile — by ways of drawing, knitting or appliqué. Even works on paper I like to display hanging like tapestries so as to emphasise their weight as objects.

I rely heavily on intuition, and kind of let my hand take me wherever it goes. I like to think of my work as a collection of artefacts — fabrics manipulated so as to eventually take form as lone standing objects. Just as a collection of artefacts from a specific time period provide a visceral yet abstract glimpse into that era, with my work I strive to put together a glimpse into a self-made, self-referential ‘language’. I am constantly blending historical references (sculptures and ritual-centric objects from India) and personal inclinations towards the development of this language. This self-referentialism manifests itself not just through repetition within my imagery, but also through my material choices.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m currently in the process of learning fine metalsmithing and jewellery making, and this is a skillset I wish to explore further within my practice.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aayushi.khowala/