Walls of Fame

By Rinky Kumar

Published: Volume 15, Issue 9, September, 2007

Artist Rouble Nagi has created over 800 murals using 33 different mediums. She has now transformed her passion for art into a social cause

They are colossal, they are an artist’s delight and they bring art into the public sphere. Murals have always been a visual treat for passers by. Artist Rouble Nagi has translated her passion for this intricate art form into 800 vibrant, colourful creations. Besides creating murals for Hyatt Regency, the Residency Club Pune and Citibank Corporate Head Office, she has also designed and executed ‘Frescos and Mosaic’ for Kenilworth Hotel in Goa.

Rouble’s tryst with this form began three years ago. “I could never use an easel to paint and felt comfortable walking around my canvas on the floor so I began using glass and nails. As I started getting orders for frescoes, I decided to innovate with diverse materials on the wall. Today I work with 33 mediums including glass, ceramic, cold ceramic, terracotta, metal and wood.”

The 26-year-old finds murals physically as well as creatively challenging. She says her greatest challenge to date has been working on a mosaic mural for ‘Save the Children’, a project for spastic children. “I had to research and use colours that didn’t upset the kids. Finally, I used fun themes for the event.”

Rouble enjoys working on murals as they give her the freedom to express her creativity. “They are around 50 to 100 times bigger than the regular canvas. Working on large surfaces and the unrestricted use of mediums are highly satisfying experiences. I strive to make any space look aesthetically beautiful.”

Rouble has gone a step further and channelled her love for art into a social cause. She has been organising camps for underprivileged kids in association with Pratham, a non-governmental organisation. She has also started The Rouble Nagi Art foundation (RNAF) to initiate creative and emotional development of children in India and across the world through arts and crafts. The artist describes kids as creative and apolitical beings who can shed their inhibitions with a little encouragement. “My vision for these children is to provide them a platform and groom possible future Michelangelos,” says Rouble.