PEAKLIFE

By Abhya Adlakha

Michelle Poonawalla is a visionary artist, philanthropist, and industrialist renowned for her groundbreaking fusion of traditional painting with digital technology. Leading the Poonawalla Group of Companies as Managing Director, Michelle balances her industrialist responsibilities with a profound commitment to artistry.

Her journey spans continents, deeply influenced by her upbringing between India and the UK. A recipient of the prestigious Shiromani Award for Art, Michelle’s distinctive style integrates formal painting techniques with experimental digital mediums, creating immersive, interactive art experiences.

In an exclusive interview with PEAKLIFE, Michelle Poonawalla discusses her journey into the art world, deeply influenced by her grandfather’s legacy, talks about her artistic influences, and the projects she has lined up for the future.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, how did your journey as an artist begin and how has it been so far?

My journey as an artist is deeply rooted in my heritage, shaped by the legacy of my grandfather, the renowned architect and artist Mr. Jehangir Vazifdar, known for his iconic structures in South Mumbai. Growing up between the UK and India, art has always been a constant in my life, culminating in my graduation with honours from the American College of London.

My love for the art space emerged following my 2016 exhibition at Mumbai’s Gateway School, where I worked very closely with children with special needs. This experience was profoundly rewarding, igniting my passion for creating art that resonates beyond traditional boundaries.

Since then, it was like the art world embraced me with solo and group exhibitions both in India and abroad. My work has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London (as part of START, September 2019), Alserkal Avenue in Dubai (Dubai Art Week, March 2019), and the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in India (2018).

Recently, I’ve contributed to the restoration of the Turf Club in Pune, in an endeavour to bring old glory back to the lovely corridors of this monumental space. Also, as the world moves towards Digital Art, my latest ‘Introspection’ series was showcased at the Non-Fungible Conference in Lisbon in collaboration with Sedition Art, marking another milestone in my artistic journey, which I consider a true blessing.

Can you share a favourite childhood memory that has influenced your art?

My grandfather, Mr. Jehangir Vazifdar, was my greatest influence. A contemporary of art legends like Husain, Raza, and V.S. Gaitonde, he was an innovative artist known for his unique ruler technique — a proprietary art form that only he had developed and perfected deeply influenced me. Living with him, hearing his forward-thinking theories on art, and watching him sketch every day after school deeply shaped my artistic perspective.

From a young age, my family instilled in me the values of kindness and generosity. We were encouraged to give back to society in any way we could, whether it was sharing our toys and snacks with children from the nearby fishing village, participating in charity events for specially-abled children, or creating and selling greeting cards over the summer to raise funds for hearing aids. These experiences taught me the importance of empathy and integrating acts of kindness into everything we do.

My love for butterflies, a recurring motif in my work, stems from this early education. Just as a butterfly’s gentle presence brings joy and colour to its surroundings, acts of kindness spread warmth and happiness. My maternal grandmother, who was deeply involved in charitable activities, reinforced the lesson of giving back to society.

Kindness, though seemingly small, has a profound impact, creating ripples of positivity and transformation. Nurturing a garden where butterflies can thrive symbolizes a world filled with positivity and harmony, a concept that is deeply embodied in my art.

Your work combines traditional painting with digital technology. What inspired you to merge these two mediums?

While many ask why, I ask, why not? Digital art has beautifully blended creativity and technology, pushing boundaries with new techniques and forms. It reflects the zeitgeist, allowing artists to combine contemporary themes and express their innermost thoughts through a digital lens. Innovation emerges where there was once only imagination.

I have always been forward-looking in all my endeavours, whether in business or my creative pursuits. Embracing technology has brought modernity and scale to the artist’s canvas. With the rise of NFTs, artists now find even greater value in their work. Their name is forever associated with their creation, no matter where it is in the world, with little to no chance of it being lost or recreated without their knowledge. This merging of traditional and digital mediums has opened up new possibilities and horizons for artistic expression.

Who are your biggest artistic influences, and how have they impacted your style?

Compassion, introspection, and a desire to make the world a better place have always been central themes in my art. Everything I create is a derivation of the experiences I live and the upbringing I’ve had. I read extensively and am inherently a very sensitive individual. For example, my ‘Introspection’ series emerged from a deep discomfort with the violence and displacement faced by millions in war-torn regions, constantly highlighted in the news. This series uses sound—newsreels and ambient recordings—combined with digitally mapped visuals to create a multi-sensory experience for the viewer.

One of my works at Sedition was deeply inspired by Mother Teresa, the eternal symbol of love and peace. If you look closely, inspiration is all around, and I allow it to flow freely onto my canvas. The motif of butterflies in my artworks symbolizes the fragility of life, freedom, hope, and peace. Whether addressing violence, water scarcity, climate change, or pollution, I aim for my audience to introspect. This approach is important not only in art but also in the business we engage in. Ultimately, we are born from dust and return to dust.

As Managing Director of Poonawalla Engineering Group, how do you balance your industrialist responsibilities with your artistic passions?

That’s a lovely question and one that made me reflect on what I see as a seamless aspect of my personality. As a woman, I believe we have immense capabilities, sometimes making even 24 hours seem insufficient to accomplish everything we set out to do. My responsibilities towards my companies, my family, my legacy, and my art are all integral parts of who I am. I am fairly disciplined in my day, and I go at my schedule like a hawk. Being present is crucial because my team draws inspiration and purpose from my leadership, and I am acutely aware of this responsibility.

It’s equally important for me to be there for my children, who are in their formative years and need guidance from both Yohan and me as they navigate life’s challenges. Art is my release—it is where I am completely in my zone, allowing my beliefs, thoughts, and daily experiences to converge and spill onto the canvas. It’s not so much about balance as it is about harmony, where all aspects of my life perfectly complement each other.

What was it like collaborating with Sedition Art and Rory Blain?

I always enjoy collaborations, and some of my favourite pieces have come from such efforts, like The Elephant Parade, Tiger Parade, and Inkiostro Bianco wallpaper. I’ve known Rory Blain, the director of Sedition, for a long time. The gallery has been hosting my work for many years and the Non-Fungible Conference was a wonderful platform that enabled me to merge my traditional art techniques with modern-age technology. Working with Rory and Sedition allowed me to create immersive experiences for my audience, resonating with people across cultures in ways I never thought possible.

What’s your favourite piece of art that you’ve created yet?

As an artist, each piece you create is like a part of your being, much like one’s children, and it’s hard to pick a favourite. However, one piece that holds a special place in my heart is ‘From Dust to Dust,’ which I created during the COVID-19 pandemic. This stop-motion artwork was under the theme of ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’, which was reminiscent of what the pandemic meant for all of us. It was nature’s way of humbling us, reminding us that no matter how powerful we think we are, life is always transient. The single dying rose in the artwork vividly represents this fragility.

What exciting projects or exhibitions do you have lined up for the future?

There is so much happening on the business front that I will need to approach my art more thoughtfully, ensuring it reflects my evolving thought processes and insights from the world of hard numbers and deliverables. Our family has built a legacy of goodwill and reputation through generations of hard work and socially responsible industry, making it crucial for me to continue this forward momentum while upholding our values.

There are many exciting opportunities for my Design Studio and interiors team, especially in restorative work like the Turf Club. We have big news on the horizon that I will share soon, which will also channel my thoughts and creativity as we bring our vision to life in new spaces. Keep an eye on our projects—there’s a lot more in the pipeline.

If you could create an immersive art installation anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Oh, The TeamLab Planets in Tokyo has to be the answer for any artist in the immersive art installation space. It would be my top choice for showcasing an immersive art installation. Additionally, collaborating with Yayoi Kusama would be an incredible experience.

But also, I have to tell you, as a woman and an entrepreneur, that there are some galleries doing some fantastic work to bring balance in the art world to favour female artists. I would love to contribute to their efforts. Singulart, founded by women and representing over 12,000 artists globally, with women making up about 49 per cent of the platform, is a fantastic example. I would love to be featured on such a platform and actively contribute to their efforts.

For me, art is not about fame; it’s about the impact we create in the world. As Aristotle said, ‘The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.’

If you could collaborate with any living artist today, who would it be?

That’s a tough one because there are so many amazing artists out there. However, Jason Wilsher-Mills, one of the world’s most acclaimed artists known for his large interactive sculptures, lightbox paintings, and AR experiences, is someone I would truly love to work with. His recent showcase at the Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, titled ‘Jason and his Argonauts,’ has made significant waves in the art world, overshadowing the fact that he has been differently abled since childhood.

I would also love to collaborate with the widely acclaimed anonymous artist Banksy, known for his street art and political activism. Art differentiates between no one, and I think both Jason and Banksy perfectly represent the free spirit of an artist.