Arty Shoes

Karan Vohra's Arty Shoes

Shoes, they say, maketh a man! A shining product of Springdales School, Delhi , 20-year-old Karan Vohra is a student of Computer Science Engineering from IP University which carved and shaped his mind and explored his surroundings embarking with an eye of an artist.This young man though expresses his ideas in “wearable art projects” such as footwear. History is testimonial to the use of art in shoe-design, varying significantly across cultures. Be it the Chinese who would bind a woman’s feet to curb her freedom, or Lady Gaga who routinely strikes a statement in her nine inch pairs.

 An interesting tete-a-tete with the creative designer:

Computer Science Engineering to Shoe Art….what inspired the transition?

I did not give up on art even as I enrolled into a 4 year engineering degree. Shoe art was a consequence of having an open mind, ready to try out different things, to experiment. I ventured into various forms of art such as mural painting, shoes, furniture etc for these very mediums were essential for what I wanted to express.

More than an expression of my musings, art has been my window to the world that entrusts me with the freedom to construct it, the way I’d like it. My choice of mediums depends on the strength and opacity of the feeling or situation that I am trying to express, consciously or otherwise. My canvas continuously transforms from paper to wood to walls and more recently to shoes.

I experiment with different schools, for instance, constructivism has been an inspiration for my “wearable art project” while surrealism and impressionism has inspired some of the portraits I have painted.

Throughout the range of works, the stimulus for my works has been a combination of theatrics, poetry and melody. In fact, sometimes my paintings are completely inspired from the poems, doodles and scribbling I have penned hastily.

The tunnel (shoes) that connects one to mother earth and its spiritual language remains an indispensable medium to celebrate diversity of culture and mankind through art. At the same time, it remains a concern to make art palatable and affordable in a world scattered with images and visuals grappling for attention. In times where controversy seems like an essential ingredient for art to ‘sell’, “the

wearable art project” combats these constructs exposing the public to art that also serves a function in their lives.

What is the inspiration behind your wearable art projects?

Having grown up around different forms of art — the sensual form of renaissance, impressionism, constructivism, and the like — my “wearable art” draws inspiration from two distinct schools, sensualism and abstractism. The process to making every pair is a journey — a mutual exchange of thoughts that enables the artist to delve into the sanctum of the wearer and the subject, the essence of customization.

Hence, the use of objects/characters/personalities that a wearer consciously interacts with — from revolutionists like Che Guvera, to music sensations — Madonna, Britney Spears, Pink Floyd and cartoon characters like ‘The Simpsons’’. Later, the personalities of the subjects are fused with symbols/lyrics/words that interact with the wearer, even on a subconscious level.

3. What exactly are you trying to express through shoe  art?

Shoes connect us to the greatest powerhouse there is- Earth. Art on shoes serves as a beautiful metaphor, when we think along the lines of ‘staying grounded’, ‘look down  before you leap’, ‘Put one foot in front of the other’, ‘Stand on your own two feet.’ etc.  The artwork I do on shoes is a reflection of the things that positively affect the psyche of the individuals I design the shoes for. I am simply trying to bring people’s passions in perspective, in view.

4. Have you researched Shoe Design down the ages?

I have noticed that shoes or rather footwear varies in varying cultures. It changes over time and reflects the cultural climate of the time

in which it is most used. A change in footwear indicates a change in the mentality of people. For instance the Chinese had women wear shoes that were so tight that they would alter the very shape of their feet, hence restricting movement which says a lot about misogyny and gender bias. Lady Gaga represents a different cultural shift with her 9 inch heels.

5.  What kind of a market do you visualise for wearable art?

Everyone and anyone who loves art forms part of the market I visualise, for wearable art is after all 'ART'. Fashionistas would also form part of this market. The uniting factor among all my customers is that they want motifs of passion to be a part of their everyday life. It just so happens that they have chosen my shoes to fulfil this desire of theirs.


5. How important is customisation ….? Do most of your clients  opt for individual customisation?

Customisation is very important to people. Most of my clients opt for customisation. It is important to the very concept of wearable art project. No two shoes are intended to be the same just as no two people were made exactly the same by the creator. Customisation allows me to not only understand art but also the people who buy this art.