Behind the Brush: Aparneet Mann Discusses Her Exhibition – It’s a Jungle Out There

An interview with Aparneet Mann, an artist renowned for blending art with meaningful commentary on societal issues

In the vibrant world of contemporary art, few exhibitions capture the imagination quite like “It’s a Jungle Out There” by artist Aparneet Mann.

In this interview, we delve into Mann’s creative process, the inspirations behind her work, and the powerful messages she aims to convey through her art.

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind It’s a Jungle Out There? What motivated you to explore the theme of urbanization through animal imagery?

Aparneet Mann: My preoccupation with the progression that the urban scape is taking is a huge part of my inspiration. As an artist, my goal isn’t just to create a collection for an exhibition but to draw attention to the human condition through my work.

Each piece in my collection, It’s a Jungle Out There, hints at the dichotomy that exists between what we consider our habitat as opposed to the natural habitat of our rich fauna.

For animals it is an existential crisis, and my art is based on the truth that we have occupied spaces that were originally the animal kingdom.Urbanization is drastically transforming the world in ways that may be irreversible.

We’ve essentially forced many species of birds and animals to abandon their homes and adapt to a life much like ours. 

A major part of my motivation also comes from my time at Shantiniketan, where nature played a key role in learning.

That experience heightened my awareness of this harsh reality that modern man is faced with.

I believe that an artist brings his/her ideals and thought processes into a visual expression and hence when I decided to bring my thoughts to canvas, I knew the theme had to revolve around my innermost ideologies.

Chandigarh has a unique ecological landscape. How has the rapid urbanization in this region influenced your work and the themes you address in this exhibition?

Aparneet Mann: Chandigarh is a city that beautifully blends urban planning with natural beauty, and this has had a significant influence on my work.

Thanks to the vision of Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, Chandigarh features wide streets, green spaces, and open areas, all framed by buildings designed in a modernist style.

However, over the years, we’ve seen how urbanization has gradually pushed nature and wildlife to the fringes, creating more space for concrete structures and skyscrapers in the tri city.

This shift is stark and has become the central theme in my Corbusier series, which aims to highlight that we have lost the architect’s dream and vision for Chandigarh.

For example, I was working on a series of monochromatic paintings when my 10-year-old son looked at one of my pieces and remarked that it resembled an animal lost in a shopping mall.

His comment perfectly captured the emotion I had been trying to convey. It inspired me to name the piece Tropico Mall, symbolizing the clash between modern spaces and displaced wildlife.

A mall is typically a place bustling with humans, but with the way urbanization is progressing, it’s not hard to imagine that soon, the jungle might have a new address.

In what ways do you think art can serve as a powerful medium to comment on environmental issues and the vulnerability of ecosystems?

Aparneet Mann: Art speaks to people in ways that facts and data sometimes can’t. It stirs emotions and makes people stop and think about what’s happening around them, and realities that might be overlooked.

I don’t just want to create a piece to decorate someone’s wall; to me my art should immediately start a dialogue in the mind, even if it’s challenging my message.

It should create something unique—something that leaves an impact on the heart of the onlooker and resonates with generations to come. 

The message does not have to be necessarily dark or serious; as a matter of fact humour brings in a gravity that, to my mind, is longer lasting. Humour also throws endless interpretations to a single work.

The intention is not to trivialize but to offer numerous spins on a very important aspect of our existence.

I want my art to spark conversations, question our actions, and help people understand the deep connection within our ecosystems.

What specific challenges do you see wildlife facing in urban environments, and how do you hope your exhibition raises awareness about these challenges?

Aparneet Mann: As artists our language is our canvas and strokes. I try to create pieces that question the flip side of urbanization prompting people to think about how human activity is affecting ecosystems; Human beings are never truly satisfied with what they have.

I use light hearted images of domesticated animals to show that all creatures, even those living alongside us, are affected by urbanization.

Through my work, I want to encourage people to reflect on the consequences of our rapidly changing world and to reconsider the kind of development that can cause irreparable harm to nature and all its residents—whether it’s wildlife or us, in any jungle out there or right here.

What role do you believe women play in the conversation about environmental issues and urban development?

Aparneet Mann: I honestly believe that this isn’t about the gender of the person. We should approach environmental issues from a broader perspective, sparking conversations that lead to true awareness and a call to action.

As an artist, I want to use surreal cityscapes and playful animal imagery to explore the chaos and comforts of modern consumerism, and juxtapose the resilience of the feminine spirit within the rapid evolution.

My new work is both a satire and a call for awareness—reminding us of what we’re losing and what we must reclaim.

It’s important that we all reflect on this, not as women or men, but as human beings, because this is an issue that affects all of us and the generations to come.  

As our conversation with Aparneet Mann comes to a close, it becomes clear that “It’s a Jungle Out There” is more than just an exhibition; it is a call to awareness and reflection.

Mann’s artistic journey is a testament to the power of art to inspire change and provoke thought, leaving us eager to see where her creative path will lead next.

Read Success story of Indian entrepreneurs & startups at SugerMint. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn