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NEW DELHI: Resin, an unexplored material in India is making its potential known through beautiful pieces created by designers. A versatile product in the industry, designers use it for making glossy and shiny table tops, paintings, wall clocks and even gifting items.
It is a beautiful form of fluid which acts like a hardener when mixed with a medium called Epoxy Resin with colourful pigments to create products that become glass-like solid after 12-24 hours.
Juhina Sodhi, a professional oil artist said, "I branched out into resin art in 2014. I am primarily a self-taught resin artist, but toured in Australia, Germany, and UK picking up and learning this art further. This art being a relatively new concept, I was the first person in India to become the first resin artist."
Resin is a new concept in India as compared to the West, and is famed for its experimental and aesthetic nature. "India is probably not as developed in the resin art line as the USA. We've been selling it online since last 5 years but there has been a tremendous growth from last 3 years," said Burhanuddin, a resin manufacturer from Pune.
"Resin art has increased manifolds across the country. We have thousands of people who buy resin from us from every nook and corner of the country. The chance for regular people to practice art at their end is so empowering,” added Huzefa, the owner of BohriAli, a resin manufacturing store.
River Table Top. Credit: BohriAli Manufacturers
Resin art is a very soothing, fun, and an experimental medium that gives a ‘magical’ end product as designers describe. "Being an interior designer, my acquaintance with Resin happened during my course. The material is so eye-catching and beautiful that it clicked me at once. I researched about this versatile material and I try to incorporate it as much as I can with my designs. It has already become a trend. It's uniqueness differentiates it from wood or stones," said Sapna Maheshwari, an interior designer from Madhya Pradesh.
Preserved bougainvillea to celebrate the Beauty after life. Credit: Sapna Maheshwari
Reshma Heda, a dentist by profession proved the myth wrong that art can only be done by art professionals. "Resins are friends with dentists, we learn to make a lot of dentures, and other things which attracted me towards it. I started experimenting with resin, and was surprised every time with the result. I take masterclass workshops very frequently and the material never disappoints me with its magic. It is relaxing to do resin art after a hectic day," said the 29-year-old from Pune.
According to Jaskirat, the owner of a resin art workshop in Delhi and also a dentist by profession, "Resin art is a very booming art form. I am a self-taught resin artist, by holding workshops I want to spread this art. Whenever I gift someone my pieces, they are always keen to know more about it, which inspired me to open my own studio in Delhi. My passion for art keeps me busy every weekend. I have taught more than 600 students, and I love how people are demanding the product. My two professions run parallelly, a dentist and one of resin artists," she said.
Seascape Coasters. Credit: Dr.Jaskirat Kaur
Resin art has proved to be an escape to the hectic schedule people were practicing. "The colours, the outcome, and the way fluid flows, is so exciting each time. I was shuffling between different corporate jobs, but after introspecting and understanding, I started doing this art full time. I have my own brand of handmade jewellery and home decor. Being a resin artist motivates me to wake up each day, and actually enjoy what I am doing," said Krishna Tolia from Mumbai.
Harman Taneja said, "I was frustrated with my nine to five job being an architect, I got to know about resin at the time of a project. I ordered it, played with the materials, and everything turned out to be satisfying and fulfilling. The fluidity of resin hooked me. It attracts everybody, it leaves you calm and relaxed."
Sapna Maheshwari told The Citizen that resin has helped her to become patient. "When you work with resin you have to be patient. Like any other art form you don't get to see the end product right away. Resin changes itself with time. You need to wait for 12-24 hours to see the product."
Resin is a chemical, and is required to be used with a lot of precaution and research. "Resin art should be done considering health issues. Usage of gloves, masks, is very important to protect yourself from fumes. It should be learnt under guidance," suggested Reshma Heda.
Sunset. Credit: Dr. Reshma Heda
Covid-19 may have affected the normal course of life, but it has helped the resin art to expand.
As Jaskirat said, "Covid changed a lot of situations, but I feel it should not change our passion or hobby. During this lockdown period I have taken 10-12 batches of online workshops. The demand to learn this art form has increased so much."
Harman on the other hand has come up with a new concept. "During this quarantine, I have come up with the fruit concept i.e. to use fruit waste with resin, also adding greens to my work as I got close to nature, my work was highly appreciated and acknowledged. During this quarantine period, the material has acted like a stress buster, people have started doing this art, and the art form has boosted drastically."
Photo: Fruit Concept. Credit: Harman Taneja
During the lockdown period, Krishna Tolia has been working on her upcoming Jewellery collection. I am fusing different materials and mediums with Resin for the pieces.
Oval Drop Down Earrings. Credit: Krishna Tolia
"A lot of projects got held up due to Covid-19. We had to cancel two workshops. But I look at it as a blessing in disguise. We were able to work and do some RND on new concepts that we are now ready to launch. It also gave us time to complete our biggest Resin project - almost a 100 square foot resin and wood masterpiece," stated Huzefa, a resin manufacturer.
Having malleable characteristics, resin today is being experimented with different products, be it cutlery, jewellery, flowers or leaves. However, Sapna, an interior designer, still feels that it is lacking experimentation. She believes that resin works wonders and is full of potential which we still need to explore.
Resin helps develop extremely satisfying pieces of art and that it has taken the world by the storm. "It is a form of self-expression. Once you have control over the material, there is no end of exploration," said Harman.
Resin art has taken a big leap forward in India. With increasing hands on workshops and demand, the multi-purpose material is bound to be a part of every Indian household in the coming time.
Sonakshi is an undergraduate student pursuing Bachelor's of Journalism and Mass Communication at Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies.
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