A Tapestry of Transformation

The journey of Nandita Mukand is one of profound metamorphosis, moving from the structured realms of engineering and corporate success to the evocative, organic textures of fine art. Born in Lucknow, India, her early years were steeped in the tactile traditions of needlework and embroidery, a childhood immersion that would later inform her deep understanding of materiality and thread. Before dedicating herself fully to her creative calling, Mukand navigated an impressive academic path, earning a degree in Electronics Engineering and studying at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. This analytical foundation, paired with a successful career at Proctor & Gamble in Singapore, provided a unique lens through which she would eventually view the complexities of the natural and urban worlds.

Her transition to a full-time artist was not merely a change in profession but a reclamation of her true identity. After deciding to follow her heart, she pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Goldsmiths College, London, via LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore, where she graduated at the top of her class. This period marked the beginning of an artistic practice that seamlessly blends sculpture, installation, and painting, all unified by a singular, contemplative focus on the boundaries between the artificial and the natural.

Nature as Muse and Material

Mukand’s work serves as a breathtaking exploration of continuity, where the edges of human memory and the natural environment begin to dissolve. Her practice is deeply rooted in the observation of growth and decay, drawing inspiration from the resilient trees of Singapore’s East Coast Park and the ephemeral beauty of seeds, pods, and dried flowers. In her monumental installations, such as The Origin: The Tree and Me & The Unborn, she creates immersive environments that invite viewers into a dialogue with time itself. By utilizing organic textures—a dense carpet of fallen leaves or the sinuous webs of nature—she constructs works that feel both infinite and intimate.

The artist’s mastery lies in her ability to transform urban detritus and natural debris into permanent monuments of expression. She often employs a painstaking layering process, using materials like newspapers colored with natural dyes such as henna, turmeric, and coffee to weave stories of generations into her sculptures. This fusion of the urban and the organic allows her to question the encroaching footprint of humanity upon the wild. Her use of medical gauze to symbolize healing for societal wounds further illustrates her ability to bridge the gap between physical materiality and spiritual resonance.

A Legacy of Connection and Resilience

Beyond the physical beauty of her installations, Mukand’s work is steeped in profound symbolism and philosophical inquiry. Drawing upon interests in ontology, neuroplasticity, and even Buddhist texts, she explores themes of vulnerability, chaos, and the graceful adaptation required to face adversity. Her art acts as an axis mundi, connecting the earth to the heavens and the past to the future, reflecting the interconnectedness of all living things.

Throughout her career, Mukand has achieved significant recognition on the international stage, with her work featured in prestigious exhibitions such as:

• OpenART Biennale 2017 in Sweden
• Imaginarium: To the Ends of the Earth at the Singapore Art Museum
• From Lost Roots to Urban Meadows at The Private Museum, Singapore
• Exploring BigCi at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Australia

Through her solo exhibitions like Mind(less) Wilderness and Forest Weft, City Warp, she continues to challenge the viewer to look closer at the cycles of life. Her practice remains a testament to the power of resilience, using the very elements of decay to celebrate the enduring spirit of creation.