Field Review | Artist Interview Series
In conversation with
Pooja Vijayarangan
Pooja Vijay, and independent contemporary Indian artist working with alcohol and inks on professional artist grade surface, whose work explores the fluid dialogues between movement, emotion. Working primarily with alcohol and inks unlike traditional brush based techniques, she uses an air compressor gun using air to create singular expression which are fluid, intentional and unrepeatable making it singular collector's work.
Her creative journey is one of transformation—from planes to paints. After soaring through the skies for years in the aviation industry, she chose to embark on a new path, exploring the uncharted territories of alcohol ink art, where instinct, movement, and imagination guide every creation.
Through every painting, she continues to explore the limitless possibilities of alcohol and ink art, proving that some of life's most extraordinary journeys begin by embracing the unknown.
From:
INDIA
Artist Statement
Her practice is rooted in transformation—a journey from planes to paints. After a career in aviation, where precision and structure shaped her perspective, she was drawn to the boundless possibilities of alcohol ink, a medium that exists in quiet dialogue with chance. It was within this delicate balance between intention and unpredictability that she found her artistic voice.
Working with alcohol ink is an act of both guidance and surrender. Its fluid nature resists repetition, allowing each composition to evolve organically.
Every piece becomes an unrepeatable record of a singular moment in time.
Her visual language is informed by the quiet grandeur of the natural world—erosion, mineral formations, shifting landscapes, and the luminosity of precious metals. Layers of translucent pigments, enriched with metallic golds and coppers, create surfaces that are both immersive and contemplative, inviting the viewer into a space where movement and stillness coexist.
Ultimately, her practice is an exploration of impermanence, transformation, and the quiet elegance found within uncertainty. Through fluidity and form, Pooja seeks to create works that resonate beyond their visual presence—pieces that become enduring companions within thoughtfully curated spaces and private collections.
Tell us about yourself and your artistic background.
Pooja Vijay is a contemporary abstract artist and the founder of Messy Ever After, recognised for her distinctive practice in alcohol ink art. Her work explores the intersection of movement, emotion, and materiality, transforming the fluid nature of alcohol inks into sophisticated compositions that celebrate both precision and spontaneity.
Following a successful aviation career, Pooja made the conscious decision to pursue art full-time, bringing with her a discipline and perspective that now define her creative practice. Drawn to the limitless possibilities of fluid mediums, she has developed a signature technique in which alcohol inks are manipulated using an air compressor rather than traditional brushes. By relying solely on the movement of air to direct the inks, each composition evolves organically, ensuring that every artwork is entirely original and impossible to replicate.
Her practice is deeply inspired by the rhythms of nature, geological formations, flowing landscapes, and the quiet elegance found within organic movement. Layers of translucent colour, luminous metallics, and intricate details invite viewers into an experience that is both contemplative and immersive, allowing each artwork to reveal something new over time.
Pooja's works have been exhibited through galleries and art festivals and are held in private collections across India. She has collaborated with architects, interior designers, hospitality brands, and corporate clients to create bespoke artworks that become integral to the spaces they inhabit. Her practice extends beyond aesthetics, focusing on creating meaningful pieces that evoke emotion, encourage reflection, and establish a lasting dialogue between the artwork, its environment, and its collector.
At the core of her philosophy is the belief that exceptional art possesses a presence beyond decoration. It has the power to transform a space, shape an atmosphere, and forge a deeply personal connection with those who experience it. Through every composition, Pooja seeks to capture a fleeting moment of movement and preserve it as a timeless expression of beauty.
How would you describe your artistic practice?
My artistic practice is centred on exploring the relationship between movement, control, and unpredictability. Working exclusively with alcohol inks, I create abstract compositions that embrace the natural behaviour of the medium while guiding it through a highly intentional process.
Rather than using traditional paintbrushes, I manipulate the inks with an air compressor, relying solely on air pressure to shape each composition. This approach allows the artwork to evolve organically, balancing precision with spontaneity. Every piece becomes a dialogue between the artist and the medium, where neither can exist without the other. Because of the fluid nature of alcohol inks, no artwork can ever be replicated, making each creation unique.
My inspiration comes from nature, emotion, and the beauty found in fluid movement—whether it is the flow of water, the layers of geological formations, shifting skies, or the subtle transitions of light. I am drawn to moments that are fleeting yet powerful, translating them into timeless visual experiences through layered pigments, luminous metallics, and organic forms.
Beyond creating visually compelling works, my practice is an exploration of presence and connection. I strive to create artworks that invite contemplation, evoke emotion, and transform the spaces they inhabit. Each piece is conceived not merely as an object of decoration, but as a lasting conversation between material, movement, space, and the collector.
What themes or ideas are most important in your work?
The themes at the heart of my work are transformation, impermanence, resilience, and the quiet beauty found in embracing uncertainty. I am fascinated by the idea that life, much like the flow of alcohol inks, cannot be entirely controlled. Instead, its most meaningful moments often emerge when intention meets unpredictability.
Nature is a constant source of inspiration. The movement of water, the textures of stone, shifting landscapes, cloud formations, and the way light interacts with natural surfaces all influence my visual language. Rather than depicting these elements literally, I seek to capture their essence—the feeling of movement, depth, and continual change.
I am equally interested in the emotional dialogue between the artwork and its viewer. My paintings are intentionally open to interpretation, allowing each person to bring their own memories, experiences, and emotions to the work. What one viewer sees as calm, another may experience as strength, hope, or introspection. I believe this personal connection is what gives abstract art its enduring power.
Ultimately, my work is an invitation to pause in an increasingly fast-paced world. Through fluid forms, layered compositions, and luminous colour, I hope to create moments of reflection that remind us that beauty often exists within change, that imperfection can be extraordinary. That movement itself can become a timeless expression of permanence.
What inspires your creative process?
My creative process is shaped by an ongoing dialogue between observation, intuition, and the inherent unpredictability of the medium. I draw inspiration from the quiet intelligence of nature—its fluidity, rhythms, textures, and constant state of transformation. The movement of water, the depth of geological formations, shifting landscapes, and the interplay of light and shadow continually influence the visual language of my work.
Equally significant is my fascination with the relationship between control and surrender. Alcohol inks are remarkably fluid and responsive, making each composition a collaboration rather than a predetermined outcome. While every artwork begins with a clear vision, I allow the medium the freedom to evolve naturally, responding instinctively to its movement while carefully guiding its direction. This balance between intention and spontaneity lies at the heart of my practice and ensures that every work remains unique.
Beyond the physical world, I am inspired by the emotional landscapes we navigate as individuals. My paintings are not intended to depict a single story or emotion; instead, they create space for contemplation and personal interpretation. I am interested in how abstraction can evoke memory, stillness, curiosity, or wonder, allowing each viewer to discover a meaning that is uniquely their own.
Ultimately, my creative process is an exploration of transformation—of material into form, movement into permanence, and emotion into visual experience. Through each composition, I seek to create works that transcend decoration, inviting a lasting connection between the artwork, its environment, and those who encounter it.
Can you tell us about a recent artwork or project?
One of my most meaningful recent projects was a bespoke collection commissioned for a private collector. The brief extended beyond creating individual artworks—it was about developing a cohesive body of work that would become an integral part of the collector's space and reflect their personal aesthetic.
The series was inspired by the fluid elegance of aquatic life and the quiet strength found beneath the surface. Rather than creating literal representations, I translated these ideas into abstract compositions using alcohol inks, allowing movement, transparency, and layered metallics to evoke a sense of depth and serenity. Each artwork evolved organically through my signature air-compressor technique, resulting in compositions that were impossible to replicate.
What made this project particularly rewarding was the collaborative journey. Every decision—from scale and colour palette to the emotional atmosphere each piece would create—was carefully considered to ensure the collection felt both deeply personal and timeless. Watching the individual works come together as a unified installation reinforced my belief that art has the ability to transform not only a space, but also the experience of those who live with it.
Projects like these remind me that my role as an artist extends beyond creating beautiful objects. It is about translating stories, emotions, and environments into artworks that continue to resonate long after they leave the studio.
What challenges have influenced your development as an artist?
One of the greatest challenges in my artistic journey has been choosing an unconventional path and trusting it completely. Leaving behind the structure and certainty of an aviation career to pursue art required not only courage, but also a willingness to embrace uncertainty. That decision taught me that growth often begins where comfort ends.
As an artist working with alcohol inks, I have also had to navigate the complexities of a medium that is both beautiful and unforgiving. Unlike traditional painting techniques, alcohol inks cannot be entirely controlled or recreated. Learning to work in harmony with their unpredictable nature has shaped my artistic philosophy, teaching me patience, adaptability, and the importance of allowing the process to unfold naturally.
Another significant aspect of my development has been balancing artistic integrity with the demands of commissioned work. Creating bespoke pieces for collectors and designers requires listening deeply to a client's vision while remaining authentic to my own creative voice. This balance has strengthened my ability to create works that are both deeply personal and thoughtfully considered.
Perhaps the most valuable lesson has been understanding that being an artist extends far beyond creating beautiful work. It involves resilience, continuous learning, and the confidence to evolve while remaining true to one's vision. Every challenge has refined not only my technical practice but also my perspective, reinforcing my belief that the most meaningful art is born from curiosity, perseverance, and the courage to embrace the unknown.
What role does art play in your life today?
Today, art is not simply my profession—it is the lens through which I experience and understand the world. It has become a way of observing, interpreting, and expressing what words often cannot. Every artwork is an opportunity to translate emotion, movement, and fleeting moments into something enduring.
Art has taught me the value of patience, presence, and trust. Working with a fluid medium has shown me that not everything needs to be controlled to become beautiful. This philosophy extends beyond my studio and influences the way I approach life itself—with openness, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.
Beyond personal expression, art has given me the privilege of connecting with people in deeply meaningful ways. There is something profoundly rewarding about creating a piece that resonates with a collector, transforms a space, or evokes an emotion that cannot easily be articulated. Those moments remind me that art has the power to transcend aesthetics; it becomes a shared human experience.
Today, my practice is driven by a desire to create works that endure—not only in their craftsmanship but in the emotions they inspire. I hope each artwork encourages its viewer to pause, reflect, and discover something uniquely personal within it. For me, that is the true purpose of art: to create lasting connections between people, spaces, and stories, while celebrating the beauty that exists in movement, transformation, and the passage of time.
What are you currently working on?
At present, I am focused on developing a new body of work that reflects the continued evolution of my practice. Rather than creating isolated pieces, I am interested in building cohesive collections that explore the dialogue between movement, materiality, and emotion through the fluid language of alcohol inks.
A significant part of my practice is also dedicated to creating bespoke commissions for private collectors and interior designers. I find these collaborations particularly rewarding, as they allow me to create works that are not only visually compelling but also deeply connected to the spaces they are designed for. Every commission presents a unique opportunity to translate a collector's vision into an original work that feels both timeless and personal.
As my practice continues to evolve, I am increasingly drawn to larger-scale works that invite a more immersive experience. I am exploring new dimensions of scale, layering, and composition while remaining committed to the spontaneity that defines my process. Each new collection challenges me to push the boundaries of the medium, discovering fresh ways to express movement, depth, and light.
More than anything, I am working towards creating a body of work that is enduring in both craftsmanship and meaning—artworks that transcend trends, resonate with collectors on a personal level, and continue to reveal new perspectives over time. I believe every new piece is an opportunity to refine my voice as an artist while remaining curious, experimental, and true to the essence of my practice.
What are your future goals as an artist?
My ambition as an artist is to build a body of work that is recognised not only for its aesthetic qualities, but for its originality, technical refinement, and enduring emotional resonance. I aspire to continually evolve my practice, challenging both myself and the possibilities of alcohol inks while remaining true to the distinctive visual language I have developed.
In the years ahead, I hope to exhibit internationally and collaborate with galleries, curators, and institutions that value contemporary abstraction and support artists with a long-term vision. I am particularly interested in creating museum-scale and immersive works that allow viewers to experience movement, colour, and materiality in new and meaningful ways.
Beyond exhibitions, I want to establish my work within significant private and public collections, creating artworks that become lasting cultural and personal touchpoints. My goal is not simply to create objects of beauty, but to produce works that continue to evoke emotion, invite contemplation, and reveal new perspectives over time.
Equally important is the continued evolution of my artistic voice. I believe every collection should build upon the last, deepening the conceptual foundation of my practice while pushing the boundaries of my chosen medium. Curiosity, experimentation, and craftsmanship will always remain at the centre of my work.
Ultimately, I hope to contribute meaningfully to the contemporary art landscape by creating work that is both timeless and distinctive—art that transcends trends, forms lasting connections with collectors and audiences across cultures, and leaves a legacy defined by authenticity, innovation, and emotional depth
Where can readers follow your work?
Readers can follow my work and the ongoing evolution of my practice on Instagram at @messyeverafter.pv.art, where I share new collections, works in progress, exhibitions, and glimpses into the creative process behind each piece. I enjoy giving audiences a window into the journey of an artwork—from its earliest stages of exploration to its final form.
My website is currently under development and will be launching soon, offering a more comprehensive archive of my portfolio, available works, and upcoming projects. I look forward to sharing this next chapter of my practice and connecting with collectors, galleries, and art enthusiasts around the world as my journey continues to evolve.
