Priyanka speaks to Blur The Border :

Blur : You come from a background of communication design, what made you take the leap and find your voice in creating something as niche as botanical sculptures?

Priyanka : When I worked as a graphic designer, my main mediums were brand identity, websites, brochures etc. But those left me feeling very incomplete, because I was tired of using digital software and wanted to get my hands dirty, play with materials and textures and work more spatially. That’s when I started a personal project called ‘Fantasy Botanicals’ where I would create sculptures using plants.

Blur : You have previously worked with multiple design agencies as a graphic designer. What was the transition like—from adapting to a brand’s design language to developing your own visual language and artistic voice through your own practice at ‘Studio Lalala’?

Priyanka : Graphic Design teaches you about brands, story telling, design language, aesthetics, etc. So with Studio Lalala, I believe I still do the same job- communication for brands; only my medium has changed to photo shoots, window displays, Installations, spatial design. These mediums employ my communication design skills as well as allow me to play with materials, forms and space. It’s a win-win!

Blur : In the earlier stages of your career, did you find it challenging to articulate or explain your niche to others? How did you navigate that?

Priyanka : ‘To be honest, my transition has been very organic. I myself did not know where I was headed in the beginning. There was no plan, I would take up a project if it excited me. Over time, it has slowly started to make sense to me. But till date, I have people coming up to me saying “I really enjoy your work, but what do you exactly do?” What I love about the ambiguity of my work is that sometimes clients get creative with their briefs. They want me to work on things that I have never done before and those challenges always excite me and help me discover more about what I have to offer as an artist/designer.

Blur : How has your artistic style evolved over the years ?

Priyanka : When I started my botanical project, I had no idea what I was doing. There was no reference point for me to follow and that forced me to look within. I learnt what it meant to follow your gut. I would make things to amuse myself. And slowly I realized, the more I did that, the more people enjoyed my work. So the switch in my approach has helped my style evolve. Also, I would take up everything that came my way, sometimes I did great, but I have had my share of failures on the way. I’m very grateful for my failures because those have helped me evolve quickly.

Blur : All of your sculptural creations embrace abstraction. What inspires this approach, and what emotions or ideas do you hope to evoke in the viewer?

Priyanka : I have always enjoyed questioning the status quo and wondered what it would be like if things are done differently. I have studied semiotics- what signs are (word, image, object, gesture), how we interpret them and how meaning is constructed and understood in different cultural, social, and historical contexts. So I play around with my work, deconstructing and reconstructing the meaning of things to evoke the required emotion in the audience. Surprise with a hint of nostalgia are my favourite emotions to chase in people. Though at a personal level, I really enjoy when people are disgusted or uncomfortable with my work. 

Blur : As an entrepreneur and artist, how do you balance the creative and managerial aspects of your work?

Priyanka : I’m a bit of a reluctant entrepreneur. I never set out to build a business, it was only about getting my hands dirty. But in the process I needed to get more hands on deck with the kind of projects we do and before I knew it, I was running a little studio. My process so far has been very instinctive, leading with my heart. But for the last couple of months, I have been toying with the idea of taking a break to do a little course on business. I think once I get my basics in place, it could be really fun to play with as well.

Blur : Do you have any specific process, habits, or rituals that help you get into a creative mindset?

Priyanka : Absolutely! I think everyone has a process that works for them. For me, I need to be alone in the room because I get distracted very quickly. The days I have a lot of creative thinking to do, I skip going to the studio and instead work from home. I like to dream and float away into a field that Rumi once described- beyond right or wrong, good or bad; to connect at a deeper, more honest level, outside the boundaries of social rules. I feel like a gazelle prancing around a field of ideas and possibilities there. Metaphorically, that’s where Studio Lalala comes from  — It’s a space to explore without judgment, to create without constraint.

Blur : If you were to collaborate with artists outside of your discipline, what would be that one collaboration you'd love to pursue?

Priyanka : Well, pre-school teachers are not technically artists, but I cannot wait to collaborate with one. As a creative, I would love for children to be my target audience. Their minds are fresh, unfiltered, and untouched by the weight of social constructs. There’s something deeply inspiring about creating for an audience that isn’t limited by rules, trends, or preconceived ideas. I believe it would allow me to design with freedom, to think beyond boundaries, and to build experiences that nurture that raw, joyful way of learning and seeing the world.

Blur : Entering a niche creative field can be daunting. In your experience, what forms of support make the biggest difference, and what advice would you share with emerging artists on a similar path?

Priyanka : You’re right, it is extremely daunting. But the excitement of discovering new paths outweighs the fear of how it might turn out. You’re not always winning, it comes with tough decisions and failures, but you have to keep going. You have to be genuine with what you’re offering. I still feel very vulnerable and scared, but if you believe in it enough and are ready to pivot as you go, it gets better with time.

Having a family that is truly supportive has really helped too.