Sourabh Gupta: Paper Flower Artist

When you have a passion for something, you’ll do whatever it takes to experience the joy and share it with others. For Sourabh Gupta, a renowned paper flower artist, his passion for art required him to get creative on what materials he used.

Growing up in a small village meant that he’d have to travel to find the inspiration he was searching for, especially since art was not something to be celebrated in India.

“Where I grew up, art is not something that you value, it’s a very frivolous thing.”

There weren’t plants around his house growing up either, but Sourabh became fascinated by them once he was at school. From there, plants and flowers became more than just an inspiration.

“I’m such a perfectionist that plants and gardening gives me a little bit of space where I don’t have to control something; they take their own control and become something and I just witness.”

Losing his living situation while at Parsons in New York was what drove him into creating with paper. Living in a tiny space without money for supplies, he turned to what he did have in order to create.

“…this innate desire to create is always evolving, so paper just became the most accessible material for me…”

Driven by his desire to use recycled materials, Sourabh’s work takes on new meanings as often unexpected things come out of the tools he has available. 

“I’m very appreciative of that concept that you only use what you have, it forces you to think in different ways and allows you to be way more creative then.”

Every one of Sourabh’s flowers is unique in its design. He’s also intentional about not making them be exact replicants of each other, instead of enjoying their differences.

“I find intentional imperfections to be more beautiful because it has a life of its own. It tells a story.”

For more information, visit Sourabh’s website and follow him on Instagram.

This episode was filmed by Mia + Chris.

Cinematography by Chris Eadicicco.

Edited by Mia Allen.