Interview with Sanili Saha - “I Aim to Create a Space Where Both Art and Language Empower Individuals to Find Their Voice”
- Sands and City Magazine
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
What first inspired you to pursue art, and how has your journey evolved?
I took to the sketchbook and colours when I was 7 years old. Drawing nature, human figures and almost anything that caught my eye was a hobby I practised with great joy. However, I got disconnected with art for some time as life’s many demands took over. But as the saying goes “In the end, we return to the roots of our beginnings, and there we find the seeds of our future” and that’s exactly what happened. I reconnected with art after a long gap, as a creative outlet for healing and transformation, reinventing a new chapter in my life. And since then, there has been no looking back. Reviving my artistic journey, has given me a voice that continues to empower me and push me forward fearlessly. The journey evolves every day, where I get a chance to explore and experiment with new techniques. It’s a journey of endless seeking, learning and growth, and I embrace it wholeheartedly.
How do your Indian roots and life in Dubai influence your artistic style?
India’s long struggle for freedom, resilience and its eventual victory, combined with Dubai’s dynamic, modern, yet deeply rooted, all-embracing culture have shaped a unique fusion in my artistic expression. The interplay of rich heritage and colours, history and modernity allow me to explore diverse perspectives and techniques. My artistic style is guided by intuition, where I don’t keep a plan and let go of expectations, but I embrace the freedom of expression, allowing my emotions, instincts, and the energy of the moment to guide each piece. I seek to bridge the old and the new, celebrating both the timelessness of tradition and the excitement of contemporary expression.
The Light of Hope Series
Your work is deeply connected to poetry, yoga, and spirituality. How do these elements shape your creative process?
Poetry, yoga, and spirituality deeply influence my creative process, shaping the way I approach movement, expression, and symbolism in my paintings. Just as yoga unites breath and motion, my art intertwines dynamism with abstraction, figuration, and surrealist imagery. Each brushstroke becomes a step in this meditative dance—an extension of emotions, ideas, and experiences. The layering techniques I use, such as underpainting, texts, dripping, and glazing, mirror the depth of poetic expression and the fluidity of spiritual exploration.
Vibes
Through a blend of eclectic and soothing tones, I strive to evoke serenity, peace, and inner revival. Ultimately, I see my art as a journey, one where viewers can find their own reflections and connections, becoming part of the story themselves.
At the exibition in the Pullman Hotel, Dubai
As both an artist and educator, how do these roles complement each other?
As a visual artist and an English Language teacher, I’m fascinated by the uncanny connection between language and art. Unlike words which use a definite sequence to express ideas, art expresses myriad ideas, symbols and forms in non-grammatical ways. But both, I believe have the power to connect the human mind beyond race and border. As both an artist and educator, I find that these roles naturally complement each other. My artistic practice fuels my teaching, allowing me to share not just techniques but also the deeper, expressive potential of art. Through my workshops for young learners and working professionals, I use colour and creativity as tools for enhancing well-being, encouraging participants to explore self-expression, mindfulness, and emotional release. Teaching, in turn, enriches my own
artistic journey, offering fresh perspectives and inspiring new ideas through interaction with diverse creative minds.
Exibition at the Pullman Hotel, Dubai
How do Buddhism and Ikigai influence your approach to art and teaching?
Buddhism and Ikigai deeply influence both my art and teaching, shaping them into mindful, purposeful practices. Like Buddhism, my approach to art is meditative and fluid—each brushstroke is an expression of presence, emotion, and inner exploration. I blend abstraction, figuration, and surreal symbolism, using techniques like underpainting, dripping, and layering to evoke serenity, peace, and spiritual revival. Similarly, my teaching aligns with the philosophy of Ikigai—the pursuit of meaning and fulfilment. Through my art workshops, I use colour and creativity as tools for well-being, encouraging self-expression, mindfulness, and emotional release.
This philosophy extends to my English language teaching as well, where I integrate creative methods to make learning an immersive and enriching experience. Just as art allows for personal interpretation and connection, language learning, too, becomes a journey of discovery, self-confidence, and communication. Whether through storytelling, visual thinking, or interactive expression, I aim to create a space where both art and language empower individuals to find their voice and purpose.
You describe art as a way to create a ‘new reality.’ What do you hope to express through your work?
Through my work, I strive to capture moments of introspection, transformation, and emotional depth. I believe that each of us has a story to tell, and through art, we ntinuously rediscover and recreate ourselves. Art opens up a world where there is no right continuously rediscover and recreate ourselves. Art opens up a world where there is no right or wrong, no limitations, and no judgment. It is a space of absolute freedom, where emotions take form, ideas breathe, and creativity flows without restraint. In this world, imperfections are not flaws but unique imprints of individuality. Through my works, I hope to encourage others to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be—a space where imagination leads the way, self-expression knows no boundaries, and intuition guides every brave, unfiltered stroke. Art is an act of courage, a journey into the unseen, where vulnerability and strength coexist, and where authenticity shines through the boldness of creation.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists and educators looking to follow their passion?
Follow your heart, your instincts and believe in yourself. Each of us is unique— just like a
cherry, peach or plum, with their own essence and purpose. So, there’s no need to compare or compete with the world outside. The only competition lies within us, to evolve every day, refine our craft and become the best version of who we are meant to be. We must continue to nurture our passions like seeds, that need patience and care to flourish. The journey may be challenging, but determination and perseverance turn dreams into reality.
Photos: Sanili Sahi Instagram
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