Deepak Biswal

"I have always had this urge to try something new. I haven’t ever been to an art institute or anything so I just started randomly making sketches with the ball pens that I used to write with. Most artists might think of using pencils, water colours, acrylic colours, oil colours etc as their medium of art. But, I wanted to try out things far from the mainstream ideas. I was experimenting with a lot of new techniques when I came across this authentic Smoke Art technique. I stumbled upon an YT video of a foreign artist named Spazuk who has been creating smoke art for around 20 years now. I tried my first attempt at smoke art after taking inspiration from him, around three years ago. I failed at it. So, I repeatedly watched his videos out of curiosity but still couldn’t figure out his techniques. I kept experimenting and finally got one successful piece after many tries. Another challenge was that, smoke is such a medium that withers away in a day or two. It took me eight long months to analyse the material and the techniques to make the smoke stay and result in something permanent. 

I am currently working on smoke, water sprays and WPC boards. I use stapler and ink stamps for artwork sometimes. I am also trying a lot of new things that are yet not tried by Indians. Apart from Spazuk, there is a single independent artist from South Africa with thirty years of experience in the field who uses plastic waste as his medium- He inspires me too. Using his approach, I have developed some art which has also gained positive feedback.

Professionally, I am a medicine distributor and have business trade. So, I don’t really get time in the day to work on my art. During the day, I go around my city for a ride early in the mornings, stop at places that entice me for a while. That is how I learn in the daytime and create my work on that in the night, after my working hours. 

I wish to introduce budding artists in this field my own techniques that I am trying really hard to develop now. It’s my dream to open an Art school. One day, I’d like to represent my state/country at national/International level through my art. Dibbiri and smoke have age old mythological rich histories; reviving its importance in generations to come is the need of the hour.

When there’s a mirror and a good person stands facing it, it will reflect good and vice versa. Smoke might be intoxication for many but for me, that’s my art. A positive approach towards things is necessary."

-Deepak Biswal