Kalakari: Nisha Sembi for Konversation
Nisha Sembi (@kalakaricrew) is an artist with a unique style that perfectly reflects her multifaceted identity. With references to Indian linework, and graffiti handstyle- this Berkeley born Punjabi uses her unique skills to promote the visibility of brown creatives in art, hip hop, or political causes, and mostly to make art she likes. After we saw her work in “Our Name is Rebel” promoting Indian revolutionaries, and realized it was the same artist who designed Word to Your Motherland and the Heiroglyphics hand style merch, we couldn’t not hit her up. She definitely inspires us and we are honored to have her as our featured guest for this installment of Konversation.us aptly titled “Kalakari” – which translates to artistry in sanskrit.
See the exhibit on Konversation –>
How did you come to manifest “Kalakari” to represent south asian creativity with an urban style?
I was influenced by a lot of the public art and graffiti in the Bay Area that surrounded me from a young age. My earliest exposure to graffiti was in first grade since my elementary school (Berkeley Arts Magnet) had a graffiti wall. From 1st to 6th grade, I watched that wall go through an ever-changing display of some really dope aerosol work from some of the Bay’s most legendary writers. I used to copy the letters in my notebooks and started hustling drawings on the school bus, scheming kids into drawing their name for a dollar. The good days haha. Eventually, the wall got knocked down but the train tracks by my house were always a welcoming place to paint, explore, and meditate.
Growing up in the Bay, you found yourself resonating with hip hop. Was your family down for your taste in music and graffiti?
No, my family was not down with me liking hip-hop and graffiti. I grew up in a strict Punjabi household and was never allowed to be out late or listen to loud music and shit. Of course, I never told my parents that I was into graff, but they figured it out eventually, given the state of my room and paint-stained clothes. I think they pretended not to know. I used to sneak in my blackbook sessions and graff missions while it was still daylight and kept my grades up to keep my parents from raising any suspicions. I went through a stage where I started bumping hip-hop hard and this one time my dad stormed into my room all angry yelling at me to “turn off that bloody gangster rap” when I was listening to Common. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Any specific rappers or graf artists that have inspired you?
Hip-Hop Artists: Tupac, Queen Latifah, Guru, Lauryn Hill, Mobb Deep, ATCQ, Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf, Wu Tang, Nas, SETI X and the list goes on and on.
Graffiti Artists: HERO, DREAM, SPIE, DONDI, LADY PINK, BOUNCE, VOGUE, CRAYONE, 123KLAN, EL SEED, RAS TERMS, BRETT COOK DIZNEY, + DIZY, ZINE, TAKE 5, All Graffiti writers in India and the list goes on and on.
Sweet, I’m saving that list! You mention graf writers in India, yet Desi creatives are still a pretty rare breed in America. Your work definitely stands out since it explicitly reps your roots. How have you used your difference to your advantage as an artists and avoid feeling pidgeonholed by stereotypes?
I don’t try to use my differences to my advantage, I just try to create art that is dope to me. I enjoy painting things that have hella flavor and sometimes that requires me adding some traditional South Asian elements. My professional art career started as a Mendhi (henna) artist where I dedicated a lot of time studying bridal henna and getting my bars up. So naturally, I incorporate some of that flavor into my work even if it’s graffiti. That’s what my brand “Kalakari” is all about. And before I was ever an artist, I was an activist who studied and created political art prolifically. My political ideologies also shape the message that I sometimes like to incorporate into my work. Beyond all of this, however, my art is my prayer, my expression, my spirit being shared with the world through paint. My perspective is constantly changing. I hope that my art resonates with other South Asian creatives who might not feel that they have the capability to create art or paint on a wall.
Respect. On that note, what is your advice for young browns trying to break into the creative game?
Be original and believe in yourself. Study your craft and your history. I never had ANY South Asian female artists to look up to growing up for a long time and I hope to provide the most mentorship I can to the next wave of kids trying to break out of the box. Even though a lot of artists inspired me and continue to inspire me, I learned early on that it was my originality that would truly help me shine. Do YOU cause you’re DOPE. If you come from an immigrant family like me, understand that your parents came from a different generation and experienced a different struggle. They might not support you and your art form but don’t let that hold you back from pursuing your passion. Show them love and mad respect but carve your own path. Keep praying, keep grinding, keep building. Dream, but don’t Sleep.
–> See the exhibit on Konversation
Keep up with Nisha!
website: nishasembi.com
blog: kalakaricollective.com
@kalakaricrew
