Kartikey Sharma
The graffiti hero on an inspiring mission to clean the city of Pune through street art
Graffiti artist Kartikey Sharma’s artistic journey took flight in the first grade when he would often find himself doodling a tiny plane at the corner of a piece of paper. Later, he went from being a mechanical engineer to painting more than 100 walls, and his biggest one yet is a 12,000 sq ft mural painted in just 26 days. Kartikey’s murals unfold, sometimes in 3D abstract shapes or in the form of aquatic and terrestrial beings harmoniously dwelling on concrete walls. And if you have chanced upon this vivid artistry on the streets of Pune, then you have already met and witnessed the marvel that entails Kartikey’s works. In 2019, the artist also initiated a campaign - Clean and Paint Pune, to raise awareness and paint the whole city. He has hosted over ten exhibitions, worked with brands like Sunburn, BoAt, Prime Video, NH7 Weekendr, Oppo, etc., and has also given a talk at TEDx X GLIM. From having painted his first mural at the college fest, battling cancer, and indulging in sketches to recover, to hosting his first solo exhibition in 2018; Kartikey’s creative journey has been a fierce inspiration to everyone. This has only made him unstoppable and fuelled his passion for converting blank walls into art.