How To Use Your Art To Express And Not Impress: A look Into The Life Of Mona Biswarupa

One of the hardest things to do in life is to be completely yourself in every breathing moment. Because most of the time, we don’t even know what we like and what we want to be. And even if we know, the perceived judgement of the rest of the world is enough to make us all cocoon in our shells. On top of that, if we consider the humungous expectations the world has from each individual, the pressure would be enough to extinguish all hope. However, if we use our innermost sanctum to mine for motivation, there is nothing we won’t be able to face. Creativity is not just confined to a tangible output, it happens whenever you are unabashedly yourself. 

Mona Biswarupa Mohanty is an extremely dexterous illustrator, designer and artist who has creativity embedded in every fibre of her being. She has rid herself of the end-result in her modus operandi. Realising how impermanent and fragile life is the way to achieve this in our lives. Mona uses this as her motivation to relentlessly create. Think about it, we can never be assured of any outcome in the world, so it doesn’t make sense ruining our peace over it!

To her art is an all-round internal experience. What pours off from the creator’s deep experiences touches the receiver’s soul in a way unique to them. And that creates a bond outlasting both time and space. Art is anything which is pinned with perception. All her work is a celebration of humanity and femininity.

So where did it all start?

It is understandably hard to focus inside if the outer environment doesn’t support it. You can’t grow a plant under hostility. Fortunately, Biswarupa had been inundated with celebrations and art right from her childhood which she spent in Baripada, Odisha. Every single day, instrumentalists, musicians, singers and players would gather in her house and set the stage. Her father Sri Sangram Keshari Mohanty is a great Lyricist and poet whom she always tried to emulate. 

She clearly remembers the day she found her calling. She found her father’s assortment of writing inks and her mother’s aalta and decided to paint with them. And a handy stick became her brush. In a way, the art of her parents created hers too. At the age of 13, she received formal training from her Guru, Artist Sri Shyam Prasad Pattanaik. 

In a bold move, she left her grad course halfway to pursue fashion design. And after that, she obtained degrees from NIFT, Delhi and the Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan. She worked in the design industry for the better part of a decade when she decided to take another leap of faith.

A full-time Art Career

While living as a full-time designer in Dubai, a bit of homesickness and a lot of availability of time made her pick up the brushes again. On a whim, she attended a sketching event which revitalised her spirit for fine arts. The paintings she created during this period are those most special to her.

With no dearth of support from her husband and family, she stepped forth and stepped inwards. And she has never stopped creating. Yes, her path wasn’t smooth, the obstacles could have crushed her soul. But that is where she uses the mantra, “Create to express and not impress”. The reality is that art is incredibly subjective, what suits one’s liking may not support another’s. But in such conditions, your motivation should never fail you.

She says

“That very day I realized validation is not everything in this journey called art. I know it is a long journey and it may take me a couple of lifetimes to be able to even scratch the surface of  Art. I decided to slow down and enjoy this journey. . That shift in my thinking has really helped me. I am in no rush to reach any destination. My journey is my own, and I can’t compare it with anyone else’s. The only desire I have is to keep creating till my last breath because that is what makes my heart and soul happy.  Only when you create artwork with joy, it can spread joy in the hearts of the beholder. “

Mona Biswarupa Mohanty

Her message to all aspirants..

• Identify your gift. There are millions of people in the world who have no idea what they are passionate about. If you know what your passion is , you should consider yourself lucky. Once you have identified your passion, and when you feel you are ready for it, jump into it as if there is no plan B . Remember there will be obstacles.. but obstacles are the things that you see when you take your eyes off the goal. 
• It is never too late to begin a new journey .. if you truly believe in it. 
• Daily practice, sadhna orriyaz is the key to success. Nothing can replace this. 
• Keep learning, no matter what age and  how much experience you have . We all have something to learn from each other.  Never be a full vessel .. be the one that is half full so that you have space for some newness to be poured in. 
• Last but not the least… life is too short to work on your weaknesses.. rather focus on your strength and make it stronger. We all have a superpower.. but it works for you only if you work for it. 

So we suggest, take these lessons from the master herself!