Artist Aman Poddar’s intricate sculptural jewellery is inspired by Nature and structure

In an upcoming exhibition in Delhi, artist Aman Poddar’s intricate handmade sculptural jewellery that deliberates on Nature and its organised chaos takes centrestage

A globe in gold that carries the world within itself — crowded, textured and fascinating to the naked eye, replete with spokes , snaking bulbous heads, and hollow circles that jut out, intricate and demanding of a second, closer look. This fascinating world that begs to be carried around, is wearable art. It is a brooch made over 200 hours of toil, and in 18-carat gold. 

Aptly titled Genesis, this brooch is one of artist Aman Poddar’s latest creations made in collaboration with Italian artist Giovanni Corvaja, and will be part of an upcoming display in Delhi. The exhibition of sculptural jewellery and paintings — dve — will be home to intricate pieces from the artist’s repertoire and hinges on the need to slow down, and sometimes lose oneself in the organised chaos. 

Says Aman, “An earring can be three centimetres across, but you can spend tens, if not hundreds, of hours making it. I think that is what excites me.” 

In Dve, the ancient Chinese philosophy of aesthetics draws inferences. “In Nature, the way plants, pebbles, or waves arrange have some sort of structure and order that is not rigid. There are variations within it. That kind of aesthetic language is something I resonate with.” While there is repetition in his work, it does not stick to a regimented structure — each piece revels in these subtle deviations.

Aman was a child drawn to craft, and his penchant for art began right at home where he grew up around it (his father Abishek Poddar is an art collector). “And whenever we travelled, we used to visit museums and galleries, and meet craftsmen. It was not just the stuff on the walls but it was also my experiences that led to this inherent interest,” says Aman.  

In the initial days of his creative process, Aman did not have jewellery in mind specifically. “I was researching different mediums, and I met jeweller Viren Bhagat in Mumbai and was completely mesmerised by his work. This made me decide on jewellery,” says Aman. After working at a jewellery store in Jaipur briefly, Aman also pursued a three-month course in Tennessee. 

“I was engraving for three years, and then moved to sculptural-style jewellery and painting. Right now, I am enjoying soldering and crafting really small pieces. I might move to enamelling and inlaying soon,” adds Aman who specialises in detailed work, which may not be visible to the naked eye and might even require magnification. “Knowing what’s there in the piece makes it special for the person wearing it.” The wearer’s story is key in making each handmade piece of wearable art special. “The second discovery is special.” His series of paintings titled Please Stand Still is a constant tug between calm and chaos rendered through crowded circular motifs.