Rwitabina Gupta Bhaya

It was Jean-Michel Basquiat who once said "The more I paint the more I like everything." So it should not come as a surprise that Rwitabina echoes Basquiat, her favourite artist, while talking about her art. Even as a young kid, she would find herself doodling all the time and it is something that helps her concentrate. She says that music helps her to create; and her creations - her sculptures, paintings, sketches, or even scribbles, help her to make sense of the strange, beautiful, and often chaotic world around her. The 16 year old Rwitabina Gupta Bhaya is making a mark in a wide range of art and crafts, from painting, clay modelling and coffee and ink portraits to doll-making and T-shirt designing. Her creative illustrations have been used in animation films for ECCE programmes by the West Bengal government. She is also an active member of the Girl Up Youth, a student-led organisation that’s part of the United Nations-initiated Girl Up campaign. Rwitabina has a certain sagacity about her which is unusual for someone of her age. Through her art she talks about injustices in the world, people's struggles, and their fascinating everyday lives. At first sight she comes through as a very quiet girl, reluctant to speak. But what she doesn’t say and so much more is beautifully and powerfully expressed through her chosen art forms. Rwitabina also believed that films as a medium can have a high impact and are allow room to experiment with colours and moods and the way different shots are framed. For the past few years, Rwitabina has also taken an active interest in robotic designing as well and has been participating in robot wars and conventions. She also likes attending cosplays and dreams of becoming an art director or graphic artist one day.