This April, IFBE Gallery in Mumbai presented the work of artist Naryan Sinha. For the solo exhibition, he has created an immersive journey that moves viewers along through space, with sculptures spilling across floors and walls, both interior and exterior. Sinha is known for his use of scrap metal materials, a practice he began at a young age while growing up around his family’s business and auto parts. He sees this unique method of working as much more than just a medium—it is about storytelling, about history, about memory.
The artist spoke with Whitewall about the connection between the man-made and the natural world.
Narayan Sinha, portrait courtesy of Iram Art Gallery.
WHITEWALL: What was the starting point for your solo show at IFBE Gallery in Mumbai?
NARYAN SINHA: The starting point for this show was a reflection on the journeys that both objects and humans undertake. The concept emerged from my fascination with the life cycles of materials and how they can narrate stories through transformation. I am extremely grateful to my gallerist, Harssh Shah of Iram Art Gallery, for believing in me and presenting this opportunity to me.
“I began working with scrap metal when I was quite young, initially out of curiosity and the necessity to create,”
Naryan Sinha
WW: What can visitors expect from the experience?
NS: Visitors can expect an immersive journey through a landscape of sculptures that interact with the space around them. The exhibition is designed to be a dialogue between the artwork and the viewer, inviting them to explore themes of transformation, history, and the often-overlooked beauty in the mundane.
Naryan Sinha’s Artistic Journey
Installation view of Naryan Sinha’s “Firelight,” courtesy of Iram Art Gallery.
WW: You grew up around auto parts within your family’s business. When did you first start working with metal scrap material in an artistic practice?
NS: I began working with scrap metal when I was quite young, initially out of curiosity and the necessity to create. It was during my art school years that I started exploring scrap metal not just as a medium, but as a storyteller and a keeper of history.
WW: What do you like about working with found material?
NS: Working with found materials is like uncovering hidden treasures. There is a thrill in giving new life to what is often considered waste and in the challenge of transforming it into something aesthetically powerful and thought-provoking.
“Working with found materials is like uncovering hidden treasures,”
Naryan Sinha
WW: What kinds of stories does this material allow you to tell? Do you want to tell?
NS: This material allows me to tell stories of resilience, transformation, and the intrinsic value found in discarded items. I aim to highlight the beauty and history encapsulated in each piece of scrap, creating narratives that resonate with themes of rebirth and cyclical life.
WW: Do you see the sculptures as transforming the history of the material? Highlighting its history? Showcasing something often overlooked?
NS: My sculptures attempt to do all three: they transform the material’s purpose, highlight its rich history, and showcase the overlooked aesthetics of decay and age. Each sculpture is a homage to the material’s past life and a vision of its new form.
An Intuitive Creative Process
Installation view of Naryan Sinha’s “Firelight,” courtesy of Iram Art Gallery.
WW: How does the process of collecting material inform its final shape?
NS: The process is highly intuitive. The shape and character of the material often suggest what it could become. I spend a lot of time with the materials before I begin, allowing their forms and textures to guide the creative process.
WW: Where do you begin with a piece? Is it a sketch? A maquette?
NS: I typically begin with a concept and a rough sketch. However, the final piece often evolves significantly from the initial idea as the materials themselves contribute to the development of the sculpture.
WW: How do you want people to feel around your sculptures?
NS: I hope to evoke a sense of wonder and introspection. I want people to ponder the narratives held by the sculptures and to find a personal connection or resonance with the transformed materials.
“I hope to evoke a sense of wonder and introspection,”
Naryan Sinha
WW: How do you like to explore color, texture, finishes?
NS: I play with the natural patinas that develop on metals and other materials. These textures and colors are stories themselves, shaped by time and elements. By highlighting these, I aim to bring an added depth to the sculptures.
Art Reflects Nature
Installation view of Naryan Sinha’s “Firelight,” courtesy of Iram Art Gallery.
WW: How do you see your work in relationship to nature?
NS: My work reflects the natural processes of aging and decay, and is a celebration of how these elements can be seen as forms of natural art. There’s a rhythm in the way materials weather and degrade, which is akin to the organic processes in nature.
“My work reflects the natural processes of aging and decay,”
Naryan Sinha
WW: Do you find inspiration in the material or elsewhere?
NS: Inspiration comes from the material itself and my interactions with the world around me. Everything from a rusted car part to a chance encounter can spark the creative process.
Naryan Sinha’s Transformational Studio
Installation view of Naryan Sinha’s “Firelight,” courtesy of Iram Art Gallery.
WW: Can you tell us about your studio?
NS: My studio is a space of organized chaos where materials are stacked and sorted, waiting to be transformed. It’s both a workshop and a sanctuary, a place where the practical aspects of making meet the philosophical musings behind the art.
WW: What is a typical day like for you there?
NS: A typical day involves a lot of physical work, from welding and cutting to the quieter moments of conceptualizing and sketching. It’s a dynamic environment, always buzzing with the potential of the next idea.
“It’s a dynamic environment, always buzzing with the potential of the next idea,”
Naryan Sinha
WW: What emotions are you aiming to evoke with your work?
NS: I aim to evoke a spectrum of emotions, from nostalgia and melancholy to hope and curiosity. The goal is to connect on a human level, prompting a reflection on our interactions with objects and their hidden narratives.
