We were lucky to catch up with Zeel Sangoi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zeel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Being an artist is not as easy as some people may think. It’s not quite as simple as picking up a high-end camera and clinking a button or taking a paintbrush and splattering paint on canvas. But, going back to the original question, the answer is yes. I love being an artist. And yes, there are times when I occasionally wonder what it would be like if I had a regular job, but I can’t fathom myself not being an artist or being a part of the creative community. Being an artist requires a lot of patience and learning, but I truly enjoy the process. For me, being an artist is much more than just making beautiful artwork; it’s about expressing my emotions, sharing my experiences, and exhibiting my world narrative. I doubt I’d be able to do that in a regular job.

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

Hello, I’m Zeel Sangoi. I’m a photographer, illustrator, creative director, and much more  . I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in fine arts. I’ve worked in magazines, gallery exhibits, movie sets, events, solo portraits and lifestyle shoots, design for for social media pages, and I’ve assisted some of the finest people in the art world.

I prefer working with mixed-media art in my creative practise because it allows me to utilise different skills I’ve learned over time, providing me greater freedom to express my thoughts and reflect them in my work.

I am now freelance and am always interested in working and collaborating on creative projects. My artwork can be found on my website and on Instagram. You can always get in touch with me via email.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first began my creative journey, I was very focused on one thing that I thought I wanted to pursue and didn’t leave much room for other possibilities to be investigated or considered. However, throughout my BFA, I had the opportunity to get a lot more practical experience, which helped me gain a more creative perspective and broaden my views. I discovered new mediums, techniques, and styles that I had not previously considered. This experience enabled me to broaden my initial restricted focus and adopt a more diverse and versatile perspective towards my artistic voyage.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

People need to grasp the difference between taking a brief course in a creative subject and going to lengths to comprehend the concept, practise the skill, and obtain a degree in it. When I first started my fine art studies, I was frequently questioned why it was a four-year course and what possible could take me so long to use a camera. They didn’t realise it was the same process of studying and practising as it is in any other discipline, such as finance or engineering. Fine art, like any other discipline, requires a deep understanding of techniques, concepts, and historical context. It takes hours and hours of practise, experimenting, and refining. You can’t just call yourself a professional after taking a two-month course.

People also tend to forget that each artist has their own journey and hardships that should not be compared to anyone else’s.
I’d suggest simply appreciate the work and efforts of the artist. It is crucial to ask questions if you do not understand something and to be willing to listen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zeelsangoi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeels_studio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeel-sangoi-070066103/

Image Credits
model – Zene sangoi Zishan Clara Gautam Sarah