art book I: delhi | Nandinis Portfolio

ART BOOK : I

2021-2024

MADE IN INDIA

drawing to have an experience - rather than make a thing good or bad

seeing in their head is

not a drawing. drawing

is something that has

to come out of your body

— lynda barry

this practice is a surrender to the page and to the craft. i found myself writing in uncharted territories, at times addressing uncomfortable truths and secrets— practicing a delicate vulnerability within language, which was protected by the paint because the words were never meant to be displayed. it led me to a great exploration of identity and my craft, keeping me continually comfortable with making marks on paper

the construction of these collages relied heavily on the in-hand (found/sourced) material. including bills, posters, incense boxes, business cards, post cards, letters and drawings from friends

the centre that I cannot find / Is known to my unconscious mind

— w.h. auden, the labyrinth

First page of the book.

the pages began with written text: diary entries, episodes, prompted responses or poetry. then, the text was painted over

all my art-making practices are rooted in the spirit of play and hands-on genesis. it is intrinsic to the process of intentional creations. these books were made through three years alongside my friends and artists— who too had their continual art book practices.

almost all pages began without a plan. sometimes there was a theme. always carrying the intent of easy creation, following the physical movement of the hands

lynda barry calls it action before intention. she writes:

ultimately, this book became an exploration of time and age— a documentation of experiences through craft and words

it has since laid a framework for building a pedagogy aligning hands-on creations across art and writing

my cartooning professor, emily flake once

said in class: no drawing is a bad drawing