‘Paint your life in the colours of your truth, your chaos, your fire’: Art highlights and tips from the IAF exhibition

Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 865 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

The India Art Festival (IAF) is held across four cities each year – Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi. The diverse showcase features a wide range of artistic themes, styles and genres (see our coverage of IAF’s earlier editions from 2022 onwards here).

Three artists from the exhibition at Nehru Centre in Worli share insights on what art means to them, how they benefited from the festival, and how their styles have evolved. They also reflect on their experiences to delve into lessons and advice for aspiring artists.

Bengaluru-based artist Pamela Pinto has a background in law but has ventured out into following her true passion for art. She is inspired by the harmony of nature, and her watercolour artworks explore the intersection of reality and the spiritual realm.

Payal Sethiya is a full-time artist who began in the world of avant-garde fashion and moved on to expressing her creativity on canvas. Based in Bengaluru, she describes her work as a vibrant mix of pop colours and strong, thought-provoking messages.

Mumbai-based Krishi Shah studied at the California College of the Arts (San Francisco) and New York Academy of Art, and will be pursuing her Master’s in Painting at the Royal College of Art (London). She specialises in nature-inspired fine art that highlights biodiversity-rich landscapes and the urgent need for environmental conservation.

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Meaning of art

For Sethiya, art is pure freedom. “Art is the wild, unapologetic space where I shape the world as I see it. It is how I mirror my life: bold, loud, and vividly untamed,” she affirms.

“Art, to me, is both a refuge and a revelation—a way of understanding the world and my place within it. It is a bridge between the external landscape and the inner self, a process of stillness and observation that mirrors the rhythms of nature,” Shah says, acknowledging the meditative power of her artworks on nature.

Pinto describes art as a profound expression of the human experience and a symphony of emotions, thoughts, and perceptions that reflect the intricacies of life. “Art is not just a form of self-expression, but also a powerful tool for storytelling, healing, and connection – a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and time,” she describes.

Style and genre

Shah describes her style as a blend of realism with abstraction, drawing inspiration from the delicate precision of miniature paintings. “My works often depict rich, immersive nightscapes, capturing nature’s quiet moments of mystery, stillness, and transformation. My art is both a celebration of nature’s beauty and a call to action, urging viewers to engage with the landscapes we risk losing,” she says.

Pinto’s artworks reveal a tendency towards nature motifs. “I include birds in most of my works. I find them to be beautiful and elegant creatures,” she explains.

“My art is a rhythm of modern pop, painted in bold colours and louder emotions. It is a visual diary of clarity and chaos, where each line knows exactly what it wants to say—even if it’s saying it with a wink,” Sethiya jokes.

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Festival experience

Pinto is pleased that her paintings received widespread acclaim at IAF. “I got a lot of inquiries into my watercolour theme works. It was a delightful experience, being able to acquaint myself with the artistic community,” she recalls.

Sethiya also had a good response from clients and galleries at IAF, which broadened her perspective as an artist through connections with collectors, interior designers, and architects. “Engaging with viewers and receiving feedback allowed me to understand better how my art resonates with them emotionally,” she says. Her artworks are priced from Rs 25,000 upward.

“My art is a rhythm of modern pop, painted in bold colours and louder emotions. It is a visual diary of clarity and chaos, where each line knows exactly what it wants to say—even if it’s saying it with a wink,” Sethiya jokes.

Tips and advice

The three artists also share tips for aspiring artists. For example, Shah advises upcoming artists to stay committed to their passion and focus on their purpose.

“If you are true to your craft, success will follow in due time. It is important to consistently put in the effort—draw, paint, or create every day,” she affirms.

“Stay curious and keep learning, whether it is through attending art events, fairs, or opening nights. Network with fellow creatives, seek constructive feedback, and continuously refine your skills,” she adds.

The creative journey may take time, with many twists and turns. “But persistence, dedication, and connection with others will guide you toward growth and fulfilment in your artistic career,” Shah suggests.

“The road ahead will be long and treacherous. But if you give it your all, you will succeed,” Pinto suggests.

“Art is fun! Explore, express and enjoy,” she adds.

Artists are subjected to numerous influences, but need to find their own voice. “Be the canvas, be the brush—let the universe move through you. But never forget, the palette is yours to choose," Sethiya affirms.

"Paint your life in the colours of your truth, your chaos, your fire. That is where real art begins,” Sethiya signs off.

Now, what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?

(All photographs were taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at the India Art Festival Mumbai 2025.)