The Creative Journey of artist Jai Sol
Jai is a visual artist from Northern England whose work draws inspiration from the people, cultures, spirituality, and nature surrounding him. His goal is to inspire audiences to engage actively with his creations, using their imagination to unlock the stories within. Jai invites his viewers to become curators of their own experiences, narrators of their own stories, and artists in their own right, fostering a deeper and more personal connection to his work.
“Art is something nobody cares about until you care about it,” he explains, reflecting on his life experiences as the child of an immigrant family and his blended Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist background while navigating life in the UK. “I understand that it has now become my purpose to create art that gives people an opportunity to see their lives, too.”
Jai began creating art as a child, often turning to it during challenging times. “It’s almost like therapy in a way,” he says. Over the course of 16 years, he created 3,000 pieces of art and started sharing them at market stalls. “The more I shared, the more miracles started to appear; I began to become the person I always envisioned.”
His South Asian heritage plays a significant role in shaping his artistic style. He emphasizes that art, aesthetics, and visuals are deeply embedded in South Asian culture and have influenced him since a young age. “Coming from a very spiritual upbringing, you’re always looking at the world from a different perspective,” Jai notes, pointing out that his work is infused with cultural references.
Despite his successes, Jai acknowledges that the biggest challenge in his career has been a lack of understanding about what is possible. “The biggest limitation is the mind,” he says. Regarding spirituality, he believes that it’s essential to recognize there’s more going on than what we perceive; there are stories and information out there to help us see life from a different perspective.
One of Jai’s favourite pieces emerged from the pressure he faced from his family regarding his decision to pursue art. The artwork depicts a boy confined within a cage but accompanied by a bird, symbolising that, despite his perceived limitations, the boy is still free. This piece encapsulates the essence of finding freedom even in challenging circumstances, a reflection of Jai’s personal journey as an artist.
Recently, Jai has shifted his focus towards more personal and immersive creations due to COVID-19. He envisions himself as a leader, expressing a need to connect with and support his community. He aims to take collections of art to local children’s hospices and women’s centers.
Jai’s first exhibition took place at a church near his home, while a more recent showing at Wembley Stadium reached an audience of 2.5 billion, including the Prime Ministers of England and India. He notes that he doesn’t feel fulfilled when he can’t experience the connection his art makes with others, which is why he prefers exhibiting his work in more personal spaces.
In addition to his artistic endeavors, Jai authored 101 Ways You Can Use Art to Transform Your Life, which explores how art can reprogram the mind and facilitate personal growth. The book presents various methods incorporating meditation, immersive experiences, and meaningful conversations, all designed to help individuals unlock their creative potential. A central theme of the book is the belief that everyone has the capacity to integrate art into their lives, enriching their everyday experiences and fostering a deeper understanding of themselves.
Building on this transformative philosophy, Jai is embarking on an exciting new project that explores themes from Hindu mythology while addressing the trauma experienced by seven characters. This innovative endeavor aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence to transport these characters into different worlds. Jai envisions this project making its way to Netflix, where it can reach a wider audience and engage viewers in a meaningful exploration of art, mythology, and personal healing. However, he acknowledges that this is a long creative process, particularly given the complexities of adapting such narratives for television. As he navigates this journey, Jai remains passionate about the impact of his work, believing that through art and storytelling, we can all find pathways to transformation and understanding.
Made in England is another of Jai’s innovative projects that utilizes artificial intelligence to create a series of visuals representing 45 years of South Indians in the UK. Drawing on his family’s experiences, he expresses gratitude for the lessons learned from his parents and grandparents, stating, “I know how it felt throughout their journey here, the challenges they faced. I have a photographic memory of every situation.” Inspired by this, Jai sought to recreate a single day in his mother’s life upon her arrival in the UK. Using AI, he crafted visuals that capture the emotions of that pivotal moment. To deepen his project, he interviewed 300 individuals, collecting their stories and perspectives, resulting in a rich collection of art based on real-time diaries of South Asians.
As art has been a lifelong passion for Jai, he says, “If there’s no joy in what you’re doing, you’re insane.” His advice for aspiring artists is clear; “Try not to allow definitions or ideas of what you need to be stop you from being who you are. Create with all your love, power, and faith. Master your craft.” He believes that mastering your craft leads to greater fulfilment in your work. Currently, Jai is mentoring up to 20 artists through ‘101 Curation’, an initiative designed to connect artists with funding, allowing them to create without restrictions.
You can connect with Jai on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jai-sol-039043189/ and find out more about his art on his website: https://www.jaisolart.com/
