MOBO Spotlight On Art: Archan Nair

The Joy Ballad of Archan Nair

A strong predilection for art accompanied by superb talent is a wonderfully lethal combination. I have recently come across an individual who possesses both of the aforementioned, falling into the category of inherently artistically gifted. Their talent is raw, distinctive, impossible to ignore and to put it succinctly- this artist was undeniably born to create.

Archan Nair began working life in the fashion industry in his teens. The untimely death of his father made a young Nair the patriarch of his family’s apparel manufacturing company with absolutely no formal training. Thrown into the deep, the sole breadwinner’s hard work and dedication saw him completely turn around the company’s ailing fortunes. Supplying to some of Europe’s leading clothing companies, the company grew from strength to strength. Nair achieved considerable entrepreneurial success and could easily have rested on his laurels and retired before thirty. He did not. Nair left stability for ambiguity and took a leap into the unknown stunning those around him to follow his heart.

(Artwork by Archan Nair)

Three years on aged twenty seven, the gamble has paid off. Archan Nair is a sought after artist, illustrator and art director. Kanye West is an avid admirer, his work has been featured in GQ and Vogue and the artist has a client base that reads like a Fortune 500 list. From private art installations to mixed media digital works for ad campaigns, Nair’s work is simply stunning. The frequent reactions to his magical visual tapestries from those I know are exalted superlatives that have left me almost tone deaf or with eye strain from reading remarks in huge capital letters ending with dozens of exclamation marks!

The unassuming artist talks to us about following his heart, Kanye and the synergy between music and art…

MOBO: What inspired you to make the transition from a successful entrepreneur to an artist?

Archan Nair: First off, thank you so much Reema for making me part of this wonderful discussion. I’m really glad to be a part of this interview with you. Well, my journey has been very interesting and looking back now, I realise why certain things happened and how they sometimes play as important nodes in this journey. It was back in 2007, when I asked myself about what would I have achieved when I would have turned 50 and I completely freaked out when my answer was luxury and money. I already had that being an entrepreneur and that was the moment I realised that I am living my life for the sake of it. I realised that I had to do what I love and follow my heart.

I was always an art appreciator and during my travels I definitely used to visit galleries and checkout the local scenes, especially in Europe. That is how I got a bit motivated back in 2006 July when I started creating. Initially it was just for fun and a hobby but then as days went by I was creating non-stop all 24 hours a day; at the office and then at home at night. I became more serious about the connection of what I need to express and life. That is when I decided in September 2007 that this is what I need to do. Create, paint and draw all the time and I decided to quit my family business and go solo.
MOBO: You are a highly sought after artist with a client base including GQ, Canon, Sony Music, Hugo Boss, Blackberry and Microsoft to name a few. Which has been your most challenging project to date?

I guess every project has been challenging in its own way. I am quite choosy about the projects I wish to be involved in. If the project looks exciting and the client and I have a common vision, I love being a part of the project. I love getting deep into the entire process, right from the research to conceptualization to the final creation; but the most important thing which I go through when I create and interact, is what I learn by making new experiments and mistakes. It is the toughest thing to achieve but it surely is enjoyable.

(Artwork by Archan Nair)

MOBO: Who are your artistic influences?

Archan Nair: I guess LIFE, my consciousness… This reality is the biggest influence for me. Everything around me, everywhere I travel, my friends and family, conversation, my culture, this world, everything has a big influence.

MOBO: Your elaborate works are visually stunning. Your mixed media masterpieces are rich and intricate. Could you describe the creative process?

Archan Nair: I love to explore and experiment each time I set out expressing myself through the process of creativity. Even though most of the times I have a clear vision about what I would like to express, I love to go wild when I create. So experimenting basically pushes me into trying out new methods and I love to create in a flow rather than a pre- planned way. It’s more of me and very spontaneous.

I love playing with different mediums such as water colours, acrylics, digital methods, using scraps and then digital methods again. Finally my composition is done digitally at the end. It purely depends on the concept, visual idea and how much the process hits back at me.

MOBO: Indian life is mythologically rich with colours playing an important symbolic role. Does your fearless use of colour stem from this?

Archan Nair: I think my natural use of colours, and the way I just love using them definitely comes from the strong rich cultural influence of India. I think it has been embedded within me and it just comes out so naturally. I love the traditions, cultural value, and diverse aspects of the country.

MOBO: Do you listen to music when you create?

Archan Nair: Music is on 24/7 non-stop haha! Even when I’m sleeping I guess, in my mind. It’s an important part of my daily life, great for inspiration and energy. It’s a very close friend. I’m more into electronic music but I love all forms of music, anything which has rhythm and soul. I’ve been listening to artists like Crystal Castles, Unkle, Massive Attack, Gareth Hovey, Shpongle, Balligomingo and DJ Pogo a lot lately.

MOBO: Do you see a synergy between music and visual art?

Archan Nair: I definitely do. They are the two forms of expressions we can relate to the most because of our main senses. The power they have to play and interact with our mind and moods is quite amazing. I’ve been working on a lot of album art for musicians lately and that is really interesting because I try to interpret the music in a visual form and every time it comes out exactly as how the artist had a vision about it. I think they have tremendous power between them.

MOBO: What role does technology currently play in art and what do you envisage for the future?

Archan Nair: I think the mediums of expressing are so many. Everyday we can really come up with something new and that is what matters the most, what a creative soul wishes to tell and express, no matter which medium it is. Technology for me has played an important role, whether it is the online presence or creating my works. I think the way science, medicine and technology is progressing, it is an important part of our evolution. I am a tech freak, whether it is communication, use in our daily life, creating art or using photography through DSLR or videos, it is definitely a great element which plays an important role for the progress of the human mind.

MOBO: Kanye West is an admirer of your work…

Archan Nair: It is super extra special when talented artists admire each others works and feature or speak of them. I really feel honoured!

MOBO: Which music artists are on your radar?

Archan Nair: There are so many. I love music artists like Raja Ram, DJ Pogo, Dub Fx, Hybrid, Helios, Breakbot, Washed Out, Green Man, they are true gems!

MOBO: What does the future hold for Archan Nair?

Archan Nair: The future for me would be the next one month. I like to be in the present and not think of the future so much coz it makes this journey more exciting. Life is a roller coaster ride so it’s best to enjoy as we go along and not have a lot of expectations. I just want to keep creating, be super excited about new things. Explore new ideas and mediums like video and film, experiment and be close to my family.

So the next time you see a colourful advert reminiscent of Dali’s surrealist landscapes for a high spec mobile phone, pick up an album with a cover Kandinsky could of designed or play a video game with sick visuals, think of Nair and let it be inspiration to you. Destiny’s compass never falters and Archan Nair is most definitely a case in point.

www.archann.net
www.facebook.com/ArchanNair

By Reema Kumari Jadeja ©