A Personal Narrative through the intersection of weaves, paintings and found objects

Assemblage Art and Sustainability

Manash Talukdar creates art from found objects, combining creativity with resourcefulness. After returning to Guwahati from his B.F.A. in Delhi, he faced the heartbreaking loss of his family’s electrical store due to bankruptcy. He began to see value in the discarded items. Following his father’s sudden death in 2014, he struggled with grief and responsibilities, which caused a creative block. He paused his project to continue his studies at H.P. University Shimla and cope with his father’s passing.

Upon returning in 2017 from Shimla, he focused his emotions on his work and reignited his passion. Soon after, he began a project using found objects. He bought a welding machine to turn discarded electrical items into art, raising awareness about recycling. Each piece tells a story, encouraging people to reflect on overlooked values. This transformation of materials into expressive art not only showcases his creativity but also addresses issues of consumption and waste. The project ended suddenly in 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown when he fell from the attic and injured his back. This left him unable to work for months with heavy objects. However, he showed great resilience by using lighter materials, demonstrating his determination to keep creating despite the obstacles. His ongoing art practice serves as a tribute to his father’s memory.