We got to talk with Dotty Art – Mr. Karun Soni. An extremely talented artist who is putting on a solo exhibition on the 3rd May 2019 where the proceeds will go to One Kind Act Charity. Check out our interview with him to see what inspires him, some of his recent artwork and whats next in his journey…
Where did the name Dotty Art come from?
It was kind of given to me! As a young artist I broke away from classical oil painting and started to fragment/ break up my style until it looked ‘Dotty’. Strictly speaking this was just pointillism but everyone called it “Dotty” (Dotty actually means ‘eccentric’, which I felt was a great reflection on my work!) I eventually decided to name my online shop ‘Dotty’ as a result of this, not to mention my Instagram handle: @dotty.art!
When did you realise your gift for Art?
My mum always tells me a story from when I was 5 or 6,. I picked up a leaf and told her I wanted to draw it. She gave me a green pencil and I said: ‘I need more colours. There are lots of different types of green in this leaf!’ My mum knew then that I was different. I think I realised my love for art through school, and I had some wonderful teachers to coach me.
Has your style of art changed over the years?
It’s difficult to track, but I’ve certainly gravitated towards use of primary colour in every piece: Red, Blue and Yellow to create a basic balance. The combination of these colours really makes the image ‘pop’. More recently, my signature style has been painting on black primed canvas. It creates infinite depth, and the colours look so much brighter in contrast.
What inspires your creativity?
To this day I can’t put my finger on it! I just have this urge to continuously create. I suppose I’m not sentimental about older paintings, which keeps me looking forward to constantly creating new things. It makes it addictive, like no past painting is ever really good enough.
I also source my inspiration from music. I have always strongly believed that it runs in parallel with art- I love modern day hip hop/R&B, but also Motown classics, some Arctic Monkeys and maybe the odd random Indian song!
Do your family fully support your journey?
My family are great! They fully backed me to study Graphic Design at University and follow my dream. This goes against the grain of your typical South Asian family tragedy- I’m just glad that I’m not torn between what I want vs. what is expected of me.
Do you have a favourite piece you have done? If so why?
I did a pretty cool piece of an old Iranian man pouring out a coke. It is a powerful piece which encapsulates a common theme in many of my paintings: Modern vs Traditional, Old vs New, Cultural Identity vs Globalisation. It also is inspired by so many things, like my favourite show ‘Madmen’ and a couple of photographers I discovered. This piece is probably a product of 2-3 years misplaced inspiration.
You very recently did a collaboration with another artist on Bhagat Singh. Can you tell us more about this?
Yes, it was a wonderful collaboration with Banana Sharma, a spoken word poet I met at Watford Palace Theatre as a fellow performer. The film we created was my live painting with her poem playing in the background. It was a beautiful piece, released on the 100th anniversary of the Amritsar Massacre. We both feel strongly about the wrong doings of the British Raj, the glamorisation of Winston Churchill and the new age we live in where everyone is so quick to forget the past (and not apologise for it.) I think that the blood lines of British Indians have been so used to fighting so many entities all these years, from Independence right up to migration – we are finally getting a point of artistic reflection.
Your upcoming exhibition “New Light” is for a great cause. Can you tell us more?
Yes, this exhibition is for One Kind Act Charity, who are a ‘Charity of Charities’ i.e. they have a number of smaller causes they support all over the World. The cause I wanted to support was The Real Junk Food Project. This project provides essentials and food to poor people in various locations in the UK.
Do you have an artistic “role mode”? and if so who?
Jean Michel Basquiat. He was a genius who authentically expressed himself and the times he was in. I am and always will be so jealous of his ability to do that.
What are your thoughts on Asian artists following their dreams?
Absolutely encourage it! It needs to happen more. I’ve come across very few Asian artists really following their dream. I want us to get to a point where we are no longer ‘Asian Artists’ just artists. Right now, we stick out like a sore thumb (and everyone is wondering why we aren’t dentists!)
What’s next for you in 2019 and 2020?
More exhibitions for sure! I’ve also got some traction with my paintings in restaurants (they are currently on display at 4 of them in London, so I’d like to take this further.) More than anything, I’d like to orchestrate my first masterpiece… a large painting with real impact, that would signify a new chapter in my development as an artist.
Some quick questions:
Thoughts on Brexit?
Honestly, I have no idea- it’s become an absolute circus. I don’t think anyone has any real idea of what we were voting for at the time! I think people tried to apply Brexit to their own lives- but the reality is it is bigger than all of us, and difficult to predict how it will materialise and impact us…It is grabbing a lot of headlines at the moment- you couldn’t pay me enough to be Theresa May right now!
Favourite movie of all time?
Forrest Gump. Comedy, Romance, Action and Adventure.
Which album(s) are you listening to right now?
Arctic Monkeys: AM, Frank Ocean: Blonde and I’ll probably dabble with some Billie Eilish soon.
The funniest thing that has happened to you.
I recently went to the gym with paint all over my face. I realised after maybe 20 minutes. Oil paint spreads very easily!
Your celebrity crush?
Always been Rihanna.
To see more of Dotty Art’s work check out his website – https://www.karunsoni.com/