We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Boisali Biswas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Boisali, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was always artistic ever since I can remember, my Dad was my biggest inspiration. I had taken art classes all my life in grade school but my pursuing an art career came quite by chance, when my art teacher started suggesting to my parents that Art is something that I should take seriously, because of my inclination towards it. That’s when my parents gave it a thought. When I was growing up taking up Art as a career was not common because it hardly had a prospective future. It was not a lucrative field.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a multidisciplinary Fiber Artist. I was fortunate to spend 5 formative years for BFA at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, founded by Rabindranath Tagore. The school’s visions of love for nature, freedom of heart and mind, critical thinking, and enrichment of culture through Art, became part of me. This holistic approach to the way of life greatly shaped my artistic personality forever. I completed my MFA at Bowling Green State University, Ohio USA

As an immigrant fiber artist from India, my work is constantly informed by my existence between two cultures, woven by threads of transcending memories, nostalgia and cultural identity. Most often I find myself drawn to my roots, exploring the complexity of migration and belonging.

I show extensively at exhibitions mainly in the Midwest. Some significant shows have been the World of Threads at Toronto, upcoming Fiber Art International, several juried shows at Muskegon Museum of Art, Woman Made Gallery, Janice Charach Gallery, Buckham Gallery, Detroit Artists Market, Urban Institute of Contemporary Art, and many others.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Each day, I’m deeply grateful for the presence of creativity in my life. Art has been my truest form of expression, especially in moments when words fall short—whether in times of joy or struggle. It offers a space to retreat, reflect, and reconnect with myself, often revealing my inner world in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It’s one of my most personal spaces.

Along this journey, art has also brought me meaningful connections—friendships rooted in shared understanding and mutual respect for the life I’ve chosen. Few things are as humbling as hearing that my work has inspired someone or touched them deeply. Sharing it with the world through exhibitions only deepens that sense of purpose.

Since I’m deeply engaged in upcycling discarded household items in my art, there’s something incredibly fulfilling about transforming what’s often seen as waste into something beautiful and worthwhile. Giving new life to throwaway objects not only fuels my creativity but also reinforces the idea that value can be found in the overlooked and forgotten.

To live a life shaped by art is a profound gift, one I cherish and never take for granted.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

If society placed greater value on the arts, it would offer a meaningful boost to artists and creatives everywhere. In a world increasingly driven by materialism and shaped by capitalism, we often don’t realize how much of our income flows toward large corporations, leaving little room for grassroots initiatives to thrive. Yet it is these smaller, community-based organizations—local art centers, independent studios, and collectives—that nurture creativity at its core and give artists the space to grow.

Most of these spaces struggle to stay afloat, yet they are essential for cultivating culture and community. By supporting them, we not only patronize artists but also contribute to a richer, more meaningful environment. Surrounding ourselves with art—in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces—adds beauty and depth to everyday life.

There are countless ways to engage with and appreciate the arts more deeply: visiting museums and galleries, attending art fairs, or simply being more mindful of the artists and performers around us who aren’t part of the mainstream corporate world. Musicians, visual artists, actors, and creatives working independently all play a vital role in shaping a vibrant society. Supporting them is not just an act of kindness—it’s a step toward a more balanced, thoughtful, and culturally enriched world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.boisalibiswas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boisalibiswas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fibertextures/

Image Credits

First picture By Esha Biswas

Third picture by Buckham Gallery

The rest are all my own.