Bio

Charuka Arora (b.1993) was born in the city of Taj, Agra. Is an Internationally recognised Artist Known for her hand crafted Indian embellished collages & paintings. And, currently works from Delhi & Agra, India.Charuka Arora ,

Since 2016 she has been experimenting with Indian textiles, embellishments, images & surface embroideries. And, has been exhibiting her work both locally and internationally. She has been featured in multiple blogs and publications, including create magazine, candy floss magazine, Fad magazine, The Jealous Curator, visionary art collective, art mums united, Indian artists book of colour to name a few.

Charuka Arora

Artist Statement

For the past few years I have been creating figurative paintings & collages of a woman’s identity from the female perspective.

This creative practice started from the idea of finding my own identity & voicing my experiences as I was navigating my place as a south east asian woman born in a patriarchal world.

What started has a quest of my own identity has now slowly turned into embracing my own roots since the passing away of my mother.

From finding a home has now slowly evolved into embracing my home.

My work post my mothers passing away has now evolved into a process of making memoirs of Love, momento's, Heirlooms etc.  

Embracing my cultural influences of home & growing up in the Indian culture as young woman.

My embellished paintings & collages now include influences from my growing up in Indian heritage like Jewelery, interiors, textiles, patterns, Architecture etc often with a twist.

Each painting in the process is adorned with Indian embellishments like dressing up of a maharani.

Hence, every piece of artwork is often referred to as a ‘MAHARANI’ as she is caressed, jewelled and couragely made.

https://www.charukaarora.com/

Charuka Arora

When was the first time you felt like you were an artist?

I have always felt something magical every time I create something with my hands. Starting from the first day as a toddler to today. For the longest time, I never knew I could be an 'Artist' -- you know how it is. I would shy away from owning that identity. But I think the first time I truly felt I was confident that this is who I am (not only as a professional but also at heart), was when I was going through a very hard time. I had tried every possible suggestion of what I should be. What my life should look like. All the safe options. Everything. And, either I failed or I was miserably unhappy. I couldn't fit in most of the times. The only thing I ever found joy in was creating and making something. I just could not shy away from the fact any longer that this is my path no matter where it takes me. I would rather be an Artist and feel authentic to myself than do anything else.


What would you say is the underlying thread that connects your work?

Never an easy one to answer, even though my work explores several themes of culture, identity, heritage, and womanhood. But what truly connects my work is the sense of belongingness I look in these themes as an artist and hopefully connect to the viewer. That’s why I see my art as pieces of heirlooms that tell a story and share that story even when you are gone. We are all souls unified with several overlapping threads. No matter where we come from or how different we are. We all still have so many unified shared experiences as beings. From my art, I try to create and recreate those memories and experiences that may last way longer than we will. That will give comfort, ground and belongingness who is searching for a home for themselves. I truly wish to bond with my viewers and collectors over these shared feelings and experiences and feel at home.

Charuka Arora


What is the most satisfying part of your practice?

The most satisfying part of a creative practice to me is always the making. From a mere thought to something you make from your own hands or head is simply outstanding to me. I love being in the studio getting lost. I think I also find it a therapeutic time to spend with my own self. I feel the art making process for me also acts as a time to build a stronger connection to my soul and my intuition. That to me is very powerful and creative. Where I can actually feel guided, sometimes challenged, and most of the times just so carried in by the creative spirit that nothing else matters.


Tell us about a turning point in your artistic journey and/or career.

Definitely the pandemic. The pandemic has brought and taken a lot from me as a person and as an artist. The first year of the pandemic I moved back to my hometown and connected to my roots after a really long time. It brought the most pivotal change in my art so far. It felt like the missing piece of the puzzle. I have always longed for a home for most of my life. A sense of belongingness. A sense of warmth and safety. A sense of love. Something that I can always come back to. I just didn't know it could also come from my roots, the place I grew up in. The culture and the traditions I was raised in can become a foundation for my being. From playing dress up with my mother's saree to thrifting raw materials and embroidery for new clothes. The second half of the pandemic took my mother with it. I felt the loss of my soul home as a person. This has only further deeply rooted my purpose of making pieces of art that make you feel home and grounded in my roots and heritage. And, little memoirs of heritage, pieces of heirlooms that will make you feel home today and forever.  

Charuka Arora


If you could show your work anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

As long as I get the privilege to share my work with the world. It is my pleasure and honor of where ever it will be. But I truly desire to show my work in more intimate settings. Heritage places, abandoned forts, and places of culture that bring people and stories together, that honor cultures and people gone by. Places that have been telling stories for centuries. I dream to share my work in those little parts of the world where girls still dare to dream. Where their voices are still unheard. I want to share with the world the power of a woman's soul and creativity that's been here for centuries.

Charuka Arora