Questions — Priyam Baranwal - Bhadohi Carpets CEO
Answers — Ted Barr — artist
Bhadohi Carpets are the manufacturers of 7 handmade carpets inspired by Ted Barr art
1). When did you first realize you wanted to be an artist?
At the age of 40, I was scribbling with my kids on the floor and my X Wife said that I need to express myself in painting till then I only wrote poems and short stories. It took me 10 years more and a lot of unfortunate events with a mad teacher to realize I want to be an artist. I can say very clearly that I and the art world are not a case of love at first sight.
2). Can you please tell us a bit about your life before that?
I am writing since I was 15, it was very natural for me to express myself in writing through diaries and stories about interesting human beings I met in my life. I served for 25 years in the Israeli army and was released as a deputy battalion commander with the rank of Major. During that period, I graduated from Tel Aviv University with an MBA in economics
3). Where do you get your inspiration from?
The best inspiration comes from my dreams, I see more clearly when my eyes are closed
4). What are your favorite tools/materials to paint?
In my FLY technique I use gesso to outline the objects on the canvas, then acrylic, cold tar, and oil colors. This bizarre combination results in explosions on the canvas with unexpected shapes and forms that inspires me anew every time I am in the studio. I use to say that in my studio I am in a state of constant awe.
5). Can you tell us anything about your upcoming projects?
I treat 2020 as a preparation period for 2021 and believe that in the second quarter of 2021 we ll return to normality. I’m planned to teach a FLY workshop at a marvelous resort in Umbria, Italy ‘ La Romita’ in May and hopefully return to India in August to teach in Bangalore and exhibit in Mumbai and Udaipur.
I signed a representation agreement with Gell Fine Art Gallery and expect a fruitful collaboration with them in the upcoming year.
I hope we’ll have the opportunity to attend a great vernissage of our new FLY Carpet line in Delhi if the skies open soon I might surprise you much before the summer.
6). What advice would you like to give to budding artists?
I meet a lot of artists some of them I mentored and taught for a long period of time, I say my rules, again and again, I’ll quote them here one more time:
- don’t give up
- don t let anyone underestimate you
- with that be open to criticism
- treat your art career like your life depend on that
- go out of the studio and breath new air and new friends
- don’t compromise on what is essential in your life
- compromise on anything else
- learn to speak and write in English
- have magic in your life
7). A project close to your heart?
In April 2015 there was a strong earthquake in Nepal, I was approached by my Current Art artists there to assist them with painting materials. I organized a donation evening in my studio, then coordinated with the Israeli embassy in Nepal the arrival and sharing of all the art materials we collected. This was a project of the Current Art group I founded in 2008 for helping and sharing between artists worldwide and I was very proud of the many artists that took part in this project.
8). What do you think about the art culture in India? Which Indian art form is your favorite?
On my last stay in India in February just before the Covid 19 days, I thought that India became my second home, it was my 8th visit to India in the past 6 years, I realized that I connect naturally to the people of India, to its food to the colors and scenery, I think that art is not only statues and canvases but the whole appearance of the human behavior and actions including the way food is served, the colors of the Saris, and the street artisans with their traditional art. India inspires me and I can say the same thing as I said about my studio, in India, I feel always full of awe.
