The Others

Meet The Others: Jemisha Maadhavji

An exclusive insight into recent graduate and rising star Jemisha Maadhavji‘s vibrantly painted world.

Could you give a little bit of background about yourself?

My name is Jemisha Maadhavji, I was born and bought up in Leicester, U.K. I studied Fine Art at De Montfort University, graduating in 2018. Currently, I am based in Leicester.

What are the main topics that you are following in your work?

Gender, The Nature of  Beauty, Culture; Fashion and Symbolism.

How did you first get interested in your medium, and what draws you to it specifically?

I have always been interested in painting however, I picked it up when I started my Fine Art Ungergraduate degree. At University we had colour theory lessons and a couple of oil painting workshops which gave me the confidence to pick up a paintbrush and ‘give it a go!’ I absolutely love oil paints! Oil is a medium that you can apply very thinly and delicately, applying layers over layers whilst sculpting the paint at the same time. Also, it’s slow drying nature allows me to continue with the painting hours after mixing the colours on my palette. It has a smooth texture and I love the smell of a newly finished painting.

Magical Spur, Jemisha Maadhavji

Can you walk us through your process? Do you begin with a sketch, or do you just jump in? 

Usually, I start off with an initial line drawing, I prefer sketching with a colour pencil. I do this on a white ready primed canvas which I staple onto a wall. Next, depending on the nature of the painting, I either complete an underpainting or paint straight onto the drawing with block colours. You can view my step by step painting process on my Instagram. Often I build up several layers of thin oil paint before I complete a section.
In terms of time, I follow a long process that means it can take me up to 3 months to complete one painting. I often have several going on at once.
I believe paintings are never finished. I never feel any of my paintings are finished, I think the journey begins when I stop painting. The time I feel the painting is ‘finished’ is when I can’t make it any better but only worse, that’s when I stop.

Who are your favourite artists and why?

Raqib Shaw – He is my all-time favourite! His painting process is so unique!! He is one of those artists who doesn’t follow the contemporary art scene, his work cannot be compared to one particular artist, his work is completely unique and individual! The amount of insane detail and subject captures me. I hope one day I can visit him at his studio.

Kehinde Wiley –  I find his work aesthetically pleasing. The more I look at it the more I want to stare at them. His use of colour and attention to detail is spectacular.

David Hockney – His paintings and drawings have a very interesting perspective, I also love the way he composes his paintings. I also like the fact that parts of his painting have a three-dimensional quality to and at the same time some elements are flatly painted. I love the flatness in his paintings. 

Do you see your practice developing and changing the more artwork you make? Is there a certain direction that you’d like to see your work and career go in?

Yes, I do. My work has evolved from when I started painting 4 years ago. So I can already imagine my work becoming more ambitious. However, it is very difficult to say where exactly my practice will lead to.

I see my work in galleries but I am also very keen on exhibiting my work in a more commercial setting. I envisage my work in luxury clothing boutiques, exhibiting in their shop windows as well as displayed inside the premises. I also can see my work in collections belonging to some of my favourite restaurants and clubs.