Nilou Moochhala
Looking for Most Ordinary Memories, Photos, letters, string, glue, and other assorted collage materials
What are your earliest memories of being artistic? I studied art when growing up in Mumbai as a child and teenager, within and outside of school. The methods were very traditional there, and in wanting to pursue it more seriously, I applied to the US for college.
When did art become a pursuit? I attended a liberal arts college for my undergraduate degree and ended up majoring in Studio Art, with a focus on printmaking. This exposure to a structured academic environment allowed me to explore layering methods of woodcuts, lithographs, silkscreens, and other printing methods. It also propelled me to ultimately change my art course and pursue an MFA in design.
Are you self-taught or formally educated in visual art? Formally educated: BA in Studio Art from Mount Holyoke College, and an MFA in Graphic Design from Yale University School of Art.
In what other ways are you involved in the local art community? I have been very involved in Arlington Public Art for the past several years, and have been part of their committee in organizing popup art events such as Chairful, Art Rocks Menotomy, and Storefront Stories.
What role do you think the artist plays in society? Artists play an extremely important role in society – they are contemporary visual voyeurs who are able to transcribe our culture’s happenings and movements and reflect it back to society through their work. In this way they hold up a mirror and reflect back on what is occurring at any given time. They are visual record-keepers of memory, narratives and identity.
A Memory of Identity, Collage
What medium do you currently work in and how did you choose this medium? I currently work in collage and assemblage techniques, and have been experimenting with them for the past few years. I have also worked with digital collage-making in the past.
What is your creative process? Where are you finding ideas for your art these days? In the social and political spectrum.
How do you choose your subject matter? Is there a reoccurring theme that carries throughout your work? Yes, there are themes of identity, belonging, movement, and change. These can be translated into many different themes, whether it applies to societal changes or climactic ones.
In your opinion, what’s your best/favorite piece you’ve made? I currently have really enjoyed working on the suitcase piece that was first featured at Honk Festival 2018.
Measure The Silent Past, Collage
What is one of your artistic goals? To continue to produce pieces that question the authenticity of our lives and decisions as a society.
What’s your favorite place to see art? ICA Boston, MFA Boston, MOMA NYC, Whitney Museum of American Art NYC are some of them.
What living artists are you inspired by? This question is impossible to answer! There are too many to name…
Do you own any art by other artists? Yes, a few artists/illustrators from India.
See More Nilou!
Website: nymdesign.com
Instagram: niloumooch