Is your space missing a story?
How about adorning it with a piece of my art..
This might feel unexpected, but here I am, writing something I never thought I'd write about—promoting my fine art photography prints. So consider this a fair warning! If photography isn’t your thing, feel free to skip this newsletter. But here’s why I’m doing it: there are now 550 of you here, and that means 550 homes—homes that might have a few empty walls just waiting to be adorned with some beautiful prints. Perhaps you’d like to fill that space with a piece of my art?
I’m about to sell both myself and my art, and if it feels a little cringe-worthy, I apologize in advance. But here's a gentle reminder, both to you and to myself—I’m not just a writer, I’m also a photographer and visual artist. My work spans from capturing documentary videos and interviews for investigative journalism to collaborating with international NGOs on photo and video projects. That’s my livelihood.
Photography has always been a part of me. It started with a Sony Cyber-shot camera I received in 8th grade, and from that moment, I was hooked. My passion for photography only grew stronger, leading me to break away from the well-trodden path of a science student in high school. While the typical Indian dream might have steered me towards becoming an engineer or a doctor, I followed my heart into the world of painting and art history. Later, I found myself pulled deeper into photography, which led me to a life of travel, adventure, and eventually formal education in Visual Arts at the University of Gloucestershire in England. My passion has always leaned towards social documentation and portraiture, capturing the raw and honest stories of people. Writing, however, was a much later discovery. It emerged from my dissatisfaction with commercial photography—the only reliable way to earn a living in India. The industry here demands constant compromise, forcing you to mold your creative ideas to fit the rigid frameworks of what sells. I could never fully embrace that, so I sought another avenue of expression—writing.
While I write about my village and our tangled relationship with technology, behind the scenes, I am also offering my limited-edition fine art photography prints. Things were different when I lived in England. I worked as a gallery assistant at the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol, which gave me the connections and insight needed to sell my prints. But selling art is no easy feat, especially when you’re navigating the industry without a map.
When you start out, you look at successful artists and imagine that their art alone made them millionaires. It takes time to realize that many of them have other sources of income. Some inherit wealth, while others are juggling day jobs—like delivering for Deliveroo—just to keep their projects alive. That's when you realize the need to rethink everything, to diversify your approach. The art world is small and often operates on the basis of connections, not just talent. It might sound odd, but that’s the reality. If you think otherwise, I'm open to debate. I know too many people who found success only after frequenting parties and events hosted by so-called art connoisseurs.
Let me be clear—I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. But I'm more like a rat; I prefer staying in my hole, only occasionally poking my head out to say, "Hey, I’m here. This is my cube of cheese. Take a look." Like I’m doing now.
From the moment my professor declared to me, “Universities exist to legitimize you as an artist,” I’ve been on a quest to prove her wrong. I’ve steered clear of university connections, barely touched LinkedIn, and never set foot in the corporate world since returning to India. “It will be hard to live a life outside these circles,” she warned. Yet, I’ve done everything in my power to remain apart from them. I write for those who stand outside the art world, and I’m content if no one knows my name or my craft. I savor the modest slice of life I’ve carved for myself, and that’s enough for me. Yet, I need art sales to feed me and my family.
While living in England and Scotland, I was fortunate enough to meet people who truly cared about my work, who believed it was worth framing and hanging on their walls. Now, these prints have traveled far, gracing homes from Newcastle to Edinburgh, and even finding their way from Germany to Australia. They’ve settled in the most unexpected places, much like my first book.
So, here are the two projects I’d like to share with you. These are limited edition prints of 20. Each photograph will only have 20 prints made and if you were to buy it, you would be among 20 people who would own that particular print.
The Forgotten One’s:
A portrait of Albinism in India
Amidst a society overshadowed by shared sorrow, some communities remain even more obscured. Our minds are molded to conform, whether in the East or West. This pervasive influence stretches from adverts for beauty products to sunscreens. It's a dance of selling one's aspirations to another. In this fray, a community known as "Albinos" struggles silently, bearing the weight of centuries of disregard.
Albinism, a genetic condition, robs individuals of conventional pigments. This deficit results in reduced melanin, the substance shaping eye, skin, and hair hues. Albinos are born with fair skin, a conspicuous deviation from the norm.
These are the generations that fade into the background, forgotten by society, often ending up in institutions meant for the blind, even though their sight isn't wholly compromised.
These portraits were taken in the Pune Blind School. 30% of the proceeds from the sales will go to the Blind School - helping the kids get necessary study materials.
Threads of Resilience:
Unveiling Africa's Silent Narratives Through Portraits of Emergence
In Pune (India), where cultures blend and stories intertwine, a unique bond was forged. Students from different corners of the world came together, united by shared dreams and ambitions. Their tales of hope and challenges flowed like streams of understanding, bridging continents.
From Nigeria's resilience to Kenya's determination, from Ethiopia's ancient heritage to Congo's vibrant rhythm, they all walked the path of education, striving for a brighter tomorrow. Beneath their smiles lay histories of struggle, revealed in conversations that stretched from dusk till dawn. The weight of Africa's past emerged, echoing its hardships and unbreakable spirit.
And so, an artistic journey began. Through a lens, their faces told untold stories. Symbols of oppression—animal skins, mine waters, coal, jute sacks—were transformed into symbols of empowerment. These portraits captured a phoenix-like rise from the ashes of history, as students transcended their pasts and defied the odds.
But this was only the beginning. The ongoing project aimed to shed light on Africa's diverse stories, exploring the complex interplay of history, politics, and culture. These portraits built bridges between continents, inviting everyone to engage with Africa's rich and intricate narrative. Through friendship, education, and the power of art, the project celebrated the ability to heal and unite.
As the project continues to evolve, so too will our understanding of the world's many stories—waiting to be shared, waiting to be heard.
If you wish to buy these prints, they are available in many different sizes and the price range is from £120 to £450 depending on the size and quality of the print. If you wish to have a specific fine art paper, then you can mention that as well. Deliveries are available all over the world, you will have to pay for the deliveries though. Drop me a mail or just message me on Substack!
Alright, the cringe-worthy self-promo bit is done, and we can get back to the usual —stories about my village, my adventures, and all the random thoughts that cross my mind. I appreciate your patience. But hey, if even a few of you decide to grab a print or two, I won’t feel too bad about this little detour. After all, my mom always says, and I’ve come to see it’s true everywhere, you can fake a lot of things in life—smiles, confidence, even your Instagram feed—but you can’t fake money. So, no apologies for trying to keep the art (and life) flowing! Have a nice week ahead.
Best
Ashutosh x
If you don’t wish to buy any prints but still feel like, “ah I gotta support this guy somehow” - If that's the case, maybe you'd consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’? (Substack doesn’t let me monetize my articles because I’m based in India, so this is a one-time thing instead of a subscription.) Even the smallest payment helps fuel my writing and gives me more time to sharpen my craft. Plus, it’s a nice little nudge that tells me I’m on the right track.
Congratulations, these are absolutely beautiful.
And they deserve to be in much more than 20 homes! Looking forward to more photography from you!