Meet the Artist: Deepak Malhotra
The artwork for the 2021 Folklorama – One Multicultural Fusion Event, One Unified Experience, presented by Manitoba Liquor Marts, was created by Deepak Malhotra, Senior Graphic Designer from Vantage. We sat down with Deepak to learn more about him and what his creation means to him.
Tell us about you.
I was born in Shahabad Markanda-Haryana, India. It is a very small town which is known for the Indian girls’ hockey team. I belong to a big family. I have four siblings: two brothers, and two sisters. Like every Indian, I love cricket. I love walking around and exploring new things – especially nature. I feel that because of this I get positive energy which I add to my creative art.
I remember my elder brother used to work in gold jewelry making, I used to look up to him and because of that I started painting, drawing and came into this creative field. This hobby of mine became my career.
How did you get started as a graphic artist?
I studied for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in India. I have been in the advertising and design industry for over 10+ years. I have worked in many leading multinational advertising agencies like Ogilvy, JWT, Saatchi & Saatchi and now with Vantage. I have had the opportunity to work on various brands including fast-moving consumer goods to technologies and from fashion to automobiles. Experience in advertising has taught me a great skill with graphic design. Graphic design is the art of creating visual content to communicate messages.
What does Folklorama mean to you?
Folklorama to me means unity in diversity. It is the world’s largest and longest-running multicultural festival in the heart of Manitoba – Winnipeg, People are invited to celebrate the culture, food, dance, and ethnic heritage of people from different parts of countries who have made Winnipeg their home. I still remember when I came to Winnipeg in 2019 and after joining the Vantage Studio, I got a chance to attend the Folklorama festival. I attended the Japanese and Ukrainian pavilion. Experiencing food and dance was a different experience for me, which I cannot express in words. I never felt so close to any culture than when I experienced at the Folklorama festival.
What does the artwork mean to you? What was your inspiration?
I feel lucky that I got a chance to design the Folklorama festival 2021. As I said, Folklorama is a place where different people from different countries come on a platform to entertain and celebrate diversity. We know 2021 will be different. It will bring the world together both in person and on a virtual platform in one place while understanding the culture of other – a fusion. That is what I wanted my design to convey – together we are united by Folklorama.
With everything happening with Covid-19, the whole world has been affected and the situation has deteriorated peoples’ spirits. People have no reason to celebrate or experience anything. Folklorama has given an opportunity to personally and virtually celebrate this festival in a Covid-safe manner – this is a great initiative and I’m proud to be a part of it.