Jas is such a pretty face and doesn’t know it yet. She is kind and warm and is probably one of the best storytellers we’ve ever met; always lacing her stories with amusement, instantly enveloping you. She is an artist and a brilliant one at that, transforming walls in Mumbai one day at a time. Now, anyone who knows Jas is probably aware, that she is truly, madly, deeply in love with Mr. Bowie, so we surprised her! We styled her with a brooch from 'AndSmile' by Viktorija, and we’ve never seen anyone’s face light up and shine so much at the sight of ‘David Bowie’.
Here’s what ‘The Crisp White Shirt’ found out about Kulture Shop’s finest:
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What do you do for a living and what is Kulture shop all about?
I am a street artist, so I paint public spaces. I am also a Muralist; I paint commercial and private spaces. Also now, I am one of the co-founders of Kulture Shop. Kulture Shop is an affordable art brand, where we have 20 artists of Indian origin from around the world; who create work exclusively for Kulture Shop. We print them on the products we develop and everything is limited edition. Every month something new comes out based on certain themes. Right now, we have T-shirts and art prints. We will be rolling out with other products in the next few months.
Anything peculiar about the streets of Mumbai?
All my life I used to be deathly scared of rats but now that I’ve been painting in the streets of Mumbai for a while, I realised less than a year ago that, I am no longer scared of them. Probably because, I am around them all the time – you see plenty of them on the streets of Mumbai.
What excites and inspires you in life?
Since I was six years old, I have been a big fan of David Bowie so, he is a huge inspiration in my life. I became a fan of his because, I thought he was interesting and his music was great. All the personalities he’d create, his costumes were so colourful and very space-agey, it appealed to me as a child. Later, when I hit my early 20s my love for him evolved into something more refined. I realised how sophisticated and conceptual he is as an artist and everything he does has a story behind it. I think that is an intelligent way to create without just throwing things out there. There’s always a story behind the kind of work he produces.
Five films you suggest every person must watch?
I love ‘Great Expectations’, the one with ‘Ethan Hawke’ and ‘Uma Thurman’. I had a street love affair with Ethan Hawke. We became acquaintances, when he lived two blocks from me in New York. I talked to him first, but after that whenever he would see me on the street he would approach me and we would chit chat. One day we were taking the subway together and we realised that we were going to the same building. He was editing one of his films that was adapted from his book called ‘The Hottest State’. We met about 10 times. He likes to talk to strangers. ‘Basquiat’, ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ and ‘The Virgin Suicides’ are some of my other favorites. ‘Wes Anderson’ and ‘Sophia Coppola’, create movies that are eye candy with substance and have beautiful colour palettes. Lastly ‘Alice’ with ‘Mia Farrow’.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I would like to be able to see through walls because, windows are not enough. It is evident that Jas, has a fabulous sense of humor and well great taste in men ‘Ethan Hawke’, *cough* *cough*. We also urge you to support their lovely new venture – ‘Kulture Shop‘ and buy a few pieces.
Love,
Nelly & Aarthi
Clothing Credits: - White Shirt: Vintage, Skirt: Splash, Shoes: BCBG, Bag: Prune (Buenos Aires), Brooch: AndSmile by Viktorija, Bangles: Lad Bazaar (Hydrebad)
Photo Credit: Satya Naren