Of Doodles and Graffiti

ART REVIEW:

Our Bureau

Among the new generation of artists of the Northeast, Rinchin Choden is fast gaining popularity for her mastery over doodles and graffiti art. Born to a Buddhist family in Arunachal, this young artist has been living in Shillong, where she works in a design studio, for more than a decade now.

In a brief interview with melange, Rinchin talks about her love for doodling. Here are some excerpts.

Q. When and how did you first become interested in doodling? What have been your strongest influences?

Ans: I was drawn towards doodling in 2016 out of sheer boredom. Somehow the year had been very fruitful for me. I did a lot of stuff then which is still memorable, doodling being one of them.

Q. What else do you do when you're not doodling?

Ans: Apart from my usual job and doodling, one can always find me in the kitchen, experimenting with innovative ingredients. According to my friends I make killer momos. If not the best, at least, the second best in the town. I also make wrist bands which keeps my hands busy while my head tends to stay idle.

Q. What are your favourite colours?

Ans: Grey is my favourite color which reflects on my artwork. I tend to use more of Black and White. I find more dimensions through them. Regarding other colors, they are yet to equally fascinate me and I have been trying to incorporate them in my recent artworks.

Q. What is your favourite piece of art?

Ans: I have a series on my mind which actually had been a result of a recurring dream. It is supposed to be a three series, out of which I have completed two, somehow the last of the series is yet to be put on canvas. The series is about this girl trying not so hard to fit in and letting herself lose control of all the burdens. The medium is permanent marker pens on canvas.

Q. What are your views on the art scenario of Shillong and the Northeast?

Ans:When taking a walk around the streets of Shillong one can notice many graffiti wall arts which easily tells you thatShillong is one big hub for artists. Be it graffiti wall artists or painters, we have it all. There are art schools to hone the talents of young and old artists. There are cafes which promote art and then there are groups like The Small Art Project which is a small initiative to bring in all local artists and promote the freedom of creativity through various mediums of art. Every now and then there are Art exhibitions around the city.

Q. What do you feel is your biggest achievement so far?

Ans: Every time someone comes up and tells me that seeing my work makes them happy is an accomplishment in itself. Recently, I started the project "Diary of Lazy Rinzi", which is a mini-version me. The whole idea behind it is to allow me to speak freely and make myself feel good. And I have been getting a lot of positive reviews about it which makes me really happy.