No Borders with Nilofer Suleman✨ Reflecting on Art, Identity, and Resistance

Nilofer Suleman is a pioneering watercolor artist blending Mughal miniature styles with personal storytelling, humor, and vibrant colors. Her intricate paintings capture childhood memories, Indian streets, and typography, weaving nostalgia into every detail.

We spent the day with Nilofer in her home and studio, surrounded by her art, as she reflected on the experiences that shaped her journey. Styled in all our favourite designers & in-house crafted pieces ♥️

"I’m drawn to the chaotic beauty of India—shop signs, hand-painted ads, and the mix of languages on every street"

Originally a psychology student, she left her PhD in Mumbai, got married, and later returned to college at 31 to study art. Among students half her age, she found her artistic voice, turning her love for storytelling into a signature style.

She experimented with oils, acrylics, Cubism, and Surrealism, but nothing felt personal. Realizing she was emulating others, she looked back to her childhood for inspiration. It was the streets that fascinated her most—not malls, but small, charming shops with hand-painted signboards, peacock motifs, and stories hidden in every corner.

Determined to showcase her work, she carried a heavy roll of paintings through Mumbai’s galleries, only to meet researchers, not gallery owners. On her second trip, luck was on her side. Two gallery owners noticed her work and offered her a solo show, marking the beginning of her career.

For Nilofer, art is storytelling.
Whether capturing her childhood or India’s urban charm, her work invites viewers into a layered world of colors and nostalgia. From her Bangalore studio, she continues to preserve and reimagine India’s visual heritage—one painting at a time.

Q: What inspires your unique style?
Nilofer Suleman: I’m drawn to the chaotic beauty of India—shop signs, hand-painted ads, and the mix of languages on every street. Growing up with these visuals, they became part of my artistic language. I also take inspiration from Indian miniature paintings, where every detail tells a story.

Q: Your paintings are full of humor and whimsy. Is that intentional?
Nilofer Suleman: Absolutely! India is naturally humorous—shop names, quirky contrasts, chai stall banter—it's all rich storytelling. Art should bring joy, especially in a world that’s already serious.

Q: Do your characters have backstories?
Nilofer Suleman: Yes! Many are inspired by real people, like a chaiwala I met in Varanasi. I love creating a world where these characters have their own evolving narratives.

"As Women, We Are Always Negotiating Space"

Q: What challenges did you face as a woman in the art world?
Nilofer Suleman: Balancing family and career was tough. As a mother, I was expected to prioritize home, and to support my family, I took up teaching, delaying my artistic journey. Unlike men, women hesitate to ask for opportunities or fair compensation, which makes it harder to establish ourselves.

Q: Who supported you in overcoming these barriers?
Nilofer Suleman: My family. When I went back to college for fine arts, my parents, brothers, and sister-in-law cared for my children. Their support was life-changing, allowing me to fully commit to my art.

Q: How has the role of women in art changed?
Nilofer Suleman: There are more opportunities now, but recognition still takes longer due to lingering biases. Progress is happening, but challenges remain.

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"I believe women have a deep emotional connection with the world around them"

Art as a form of Resistance

For Nilofer her art is a form of resistance, Resistance of cultural erasure. Nilofer believes in preserving narratives, capturing everyday moments, and resisting the erasure of cultural heritage.  

"I believe women have a deep emotional connection with the world around them, and that naturally reflects in their work. My paintings are filled with narratives—scenes from everyday life, moments that hold cultural memory." 

In this way, she sees her work as a way to preserve cultural fragments that might otherwise be forgotten.  

"In a way, my work is a resistance against forgetting. I try to preserve elements of our culture, the small details that are disappearing in modern world. I don’t know if they will survive in the real world, but I can ensure they remain in my paintings."

Credits

Producer - No Borders team
Director - Zayira Ray
HMU - Elton John
Set design - Zayira Ray, Elton John & Aishwarya Gajare 

Styled in - No Borders in-house 🪡

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