Self - love
Born in 1978 in New Delhi, where she continues to live and work, Puja Khanna Duggal’s artistic journey spans over two and a half decades, reflecting her deep engagement with creativity. Her work delves into paradoxes—situations or statements that appear contradictory, such as pleasure and pain, life and death, as well as architectural landscapes and cityscapes.
Puja Khanna Duggal
Eternal Venice
Puja’s passion for art began at a young age, majoring in Fine Arts during school. She later completed her undergraduate studies in English Literature (Honors) at Jesus and Mary College, New Delhi, followed by a Master’s degree at the National Institute of Technology.
Despite a successful career in luxury fashion with prominent brands like Kenzo, Kookai, Kurt Geiger, Next UK, Primadonna, Tata Italia, Cosmoparis, Minnelli, San Marina, and Zara, it was the disruptions of the pandemic that reignited her love for painting.
Alter Ego
Her paintings and mixed media artworks reflect a kaleidoscope of influences, ranging from abstract expressionism to realistic architectural art, showcasing a dynamic interplay between image and texture, often infused with psychological complexity and dark humor. Puja’s work fuses traditional Indian handicraft and textile techniques, such as embroidery and appliqué, with painting on cloth, canvas, board, and wood, creating a rich visual language that navigates the real and the imaginary.
Lucid Dreams
Her artistic practice encompasses painting, murals, embroidery, and multimedia installations, integrating forms, techniques, concepts, and spatial constructs that define Indian culture with contemporary awareness. This work offers not just a visual experience but also a tactile one, where traditional Indian crafts meet modern artistic expression.
Peace
At the intersection of art and traditional craftsmanship, Puja employs locally sourced recycled materials in her paints and multimedia embroideries. Her art addresses issues of gender, healing, cultural destruction, and sustainability, continually striving to balance continuity with innovation, and aesthetic experimentation with social relevance.
Observer
Today, Puja serves as the Design Director of Indishoe Company, designing and manufacturing footwear and bags for European and international markets, while her paintings and mixed media artworks continue to evolve. Her work since the pandemic reflects a world seen through her eyes—a space where dreams, nightmares, constant mental chatter, and reality converge, engaging with profound questions of life and death.
Her unwavering vision is to empower underprivileged communities through exceptional artwork, both hand-painted and hand-embroidered. By fostering cultural sustainability across borders and preserving rich Indian artisanal craftsmanship, sustainability remains at the core of her artistic mission.
Date 30.09.2024