Today we’d like to introduce you to Niharika Rajput.
Hi Niharika, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My brand Paperchirrups came into being in the year 2016. I am a Wildlife Artist specializing in building carefully handcrafted intricate paper sculptures of birds and animals. I started experimenting with different forms of art , using all kinds of methods and mediums. I am completely self-taught and have no formal education in art per se. As a child, I always admired Nature and Wildlife. When the time came to make a career choice I decided to amalgamate my love for wildlife with art. With my sculptures, I try to replicate the creature I am building to the very last detail. It’s an extremely lengthy process and requires a lot of scrutiny and patience.
Along with my art practice, I also conduct various art for wildlife conservation initiatives in India and all over the world likewise.
I started with very little knowledge of what I was getting into and how it will eventually shape up. Everything that I know today came to me very organically. My interactions with my clients, wildlife organisations, ornithologists and researchers helped broaden my horizon drastically. Every project that I get is a learning process for me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The answer is yes and no. There were definitely many challenges that I faced but because I have such a great support system I never felt the pinch. The first challenge was to replicate the bird in question to the very last detail. What kind of materials to use, what process to follow etc. Then locating my audiences, people who would admire, appreciate and understand my work.
Then the challenge was to make enough money to support myself. Marketing, photography and managing my business as it grew were some other challenges. But like I said, with a great support system, I sailed through comfortably.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Wildlife Artist and creative conservationist specialising in intricate and realistic paper sculptures of birds and animals. I am known for replicating wildlife to the point that it can fool people into believing that my pieces are real.
I have always been grateful for the opportunities I get to work with children.
What sets me apart is my skill and patience and the fact that I am creating something that’s a 100% handmade.
What’s next?
There are many projects in the pipeline. I am looking at building Nature Interpretation centres in a few states in India of course in collaboration with forest departments, researchers and ornithologists. I am also looking at expanding my area of expertise to other animals and not just birds and maybe even look into creating dioramas.
Contact Info:
- Email: niharikarajput193@gmail.com
- Website: http://www.paperchirrups.com/
- Instagram: PaperChirrups
- Facebook: PaperChirrups
- Twitter: Niharika_art
- Youtube: PaperChirrups
