We now have a number of talented artists, illustrators and designers whose prints and photography we sell at The Lion Rock Press. It's time to introduce you to some of the people behind the art! Aarti sells some of her prints in our Sheung Wan showroom and a number of her card designs are on our sister website Roksaan. We chatted to Aarti recently to learn more about her and the inspiration behind her art.
About you
I have called this city home for the past eight and a half years. By day, I am also a mum of two gorgeous kids, navigating the beautiful chaos that comes with it. Through it all, I have found art to be my most fluent language. I specialise in drawing life stories, transforming intimate narratives and complex emotions into hand drawn art. While this process is a creative release for me, the most profound reward is the human connection it forges.
Before art took the front seat, I had a strong background in brand marketing, and I have spent over six years creating commissioned pieces for clients around the world. I have also published several colouring books on Amazon and love leading art integrated learning workshops at international schools. Hong Kong gave me the rhythm, and art gave me the voice.
Your Inspiration
I have always been a keen observer. There is a certain humour and whimsy in the everyday that most people walk right past, and I love catching it. As an expat living in this city, I feel like I am constantly straddling two worlds: the familiar and the foreign. That push and pull and unexpected twist seeps into my art. My prints are my way of weaving the expat experience together with the vibrant, chaotic, beautiful things Hong Kong has to offer.
Favourite thing to do or see in Hong Kong
My favourite thing to do in Hong Kong is simply walking. Up and down the streets, without a fixed destination. The city has so much character, so much funk and vibrance that reveals itself only when you slow down. I love the constant interplay of vintage and modern architecture, an old building standing right next to a sleek glass tower. It feels like the past and present having a quiet conversation.
I also love walking along the waterfront. The water has a deeply calming effect on me, a gentle pause from the city's electric energy.
But what I treasure most is how this city allows for quality time with the people I love. Sharing steaming baskets of dim sum with close ones, hiking up the Peak with my kids as they run ahead with endless energy, or enjoying a long walk and talk catch up with friends along Bowen Road. In Hong Kong, even the simplest moments feel full.
