We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ankana Sarkar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ankana, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
If I could go back in time, yes, there are moments when I feel I should have started my creative career sooner. I’m in my early 30s now, and sometimes I think — maybe if I had started earlier, I would’ve been further along by now.
But every time I work on my brand today, I realize that starting now was the best timing for me. After completing my Bachelor’s in Multimedia, I dreamed of doing my Master’s at NID or IIT Bombay. When that didn’t work out, I joined IndiGo — just as a temporary job — and ended up spending almost eight years in aviation. Those years shaped me deeply. I learned how to communicate with people, stay calm under pressure, manage multiple things at once, and think like a businessperson — lessons that now help me run my brand.
Even during my flying days, I never stopped painting. And when COVID and motherhood came into my life, everything shifted. While breastfeeding my daughter Raspberry during maternity leave, I had to resign unexpectedly. It was a difficult phase, but it also became my turning point. I went back to art — first painting on clothes and bags, and then evolving into hand-sculpted, hand-painted wearable art.
In early 2025, I rebranded my earlier art label into ANARTSIA — a name that reflects my heart, my growth, and my story. Looking back, I feel I started exactly when I was meant to. The skills, discipline, and resilience I gained from aviation, and the patience I learned as a mother, are now the foundation of my creative journey.
I want my brand to grow slowly, steadily — the way my daughter grows. And that’s why I believe the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Ankana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Ankana, and I’m the founder and artist behind ANARTSIA — a one-woman-run brand creating hand-sculpted and hand-painted wearable art. Each piece is imagined, designed, sculpted, and painted entirely by me, from start to finish.
ANARTSIA focuses on wearable art jewellery — each piece is hand-sculpted with air-dry clay, delicately hand-painted, and sealed with a glass-like resin finish. My inspirations come from nature, florals, vintage elegance, and emotions translated into form and color. Every creation carries its own soul — no moulds, no duplication — which makes every piece truly one of a kind.
What makes ANARTSIA different is its deep connection between fine art and fashion. Each design is made slowly, intentionally, and from scratch. I believe in celebrating individuality through art that can be worn — not mass-produced or machine-made, but something that carries an artist’s touch and energy.
Even though ANARTSIA officially started in February 2025, it has already received a heartwarming response from people. At exhibitions, I never have to explain what sets my work apart — my audience feels it instantly. They often say, “We’ve never seen anything like this before — it’s completely artist-made and so unique.” That’s the biggest compliment I could ask for.
What I’m most proud of is that ANARTSIA is entirely run by me — from sculpting and painting to designing, packaging, photography, and communication. It’s a one-woman journey built with patience, passion, and purpose. My dream is for ANARTSIA to grow slowly and meaningfully, reflecting both my creative evolution and my life as a mother.
For me, ANARTSIA is not just a brand — it’s wearable emotion. I want every person who wears it to feel the story, the art, and the love behind each piece.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes, absolutely. I do have a goal and a mission that drive my creative journey.
My main goal has always been to make people wear art. I’ve always believed that art shouldn’t be confined to walls — it should be experienced, worn, and carried with you. My work is a blend between the artistic and the fashion world, where each piece goes beyond being “just jewelry.” I don’t want to restrict jewelry to the conventional idea that it must be made of metal or precious materials like gold or silver. It can be different, versatile, deeply meaningful, and still elegant.
Each piece I create at ANARTSIA tells its own story — often inspired by emotions, nature, or the person who will wear it. I customize most of my designs to reflect personal stories, color preferences, and inspirations, just like a fashion designer would tailor an outfit. I do the same, but with wearable art.
Beyond jewelry, my broader vision is to promote the concept of wearable art — art that becomes part of your lifestyle, whether you wear it, style it, or even bring it into your home. I want people to see art not just as decoration, but as self-expression.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the freedom of thought — the freedom to create without restrictions.
With ANARTSIA, every day feels like a new exploration. I get to experiment with materials, ideas, colors, and collections, and my mind is constantly searching for inspiration — in nature, in people, and in the smallest of moments. I love that my creative journey gives me the space to let my imagination flow without boundaries.
Right now, it’s not about sales or numbers for me. My focus is on creating something truly unique — something that reflects my individuality and artistic growth. Coming from an aviation background, I know what it feels like to have a stable 9-to-5 job and a good paycheck, but honestly, nothing compares to the joy I feel when someone appreciates my art. When people come up to me and tell me how my work made them feel — that’s the real reward.
I’ve realized that this journey isn’t just about money; it’s about meaning. It’s about purpose. And through this creative path, I’ve truly found mine.
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