"Fantastical
Juxtapositional
Contradiction
Decadent
Stimulating
Surreal
Gluttonous
Playful
Seductive
Anachronistic
Unapologetic
Intimate
Silent
Introspective
Ephemeral
The Urban Context has its role in defining the foci of your photographs. The subject and context constantly question each other in times , space, texture, etc.
Are you a very visual, visceral person when it comes to noticing these…are they spontaneous discoveries or do you seek them? Maybe think about them and conjure up scenarios? How do these seemingly disparate worlds find themselves either embracing each other or tearing each other apart?
From your few short essays on today's youth or great architectural pieces like the Taj Mahal, I can't help sensing a bit of criticality regarding this change ..this change between the past & present and of course a quite subliminal trepidation about the future state of society & culture."
--Rajeev Thakker,
Architect, Curator & Artist
on Vikram Bawa at the Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai, India. 2012
Vikram Bawa turned pro much later in his life than most photographers, on a journey filled with many opportunities, trials and tribulations.
As a photographer Vikram has won multiple awards from Masters Cup, Prix de la Photographie Paris, The International Color Awards, The Spider Awards, Asian Photography Most Influential Photographer Award, PIEA Award and many more. Luerzer's Archive has included him in the list of 200 Best Advertising Photographers for the year 2010-2011.
A creative thinker Vikram is constantly innovating new business ideas. In 2010 he was included in the Most Influential People in the photography industry due to his strong business practices.
Vikram has been pushing the boundaries of photography by continuously experimenting with new ideas, techniques and was given the title of Master of Gimmicks in the late 90's and is in the limelight for pushing the acceptability of art and creativity in the country.
The first person to do 3D photography in 1998 and create the first 3D covers in India for Elle magazine and other magazines in the year 2000. A decade before the world was to go mainstream with 3D.
Early in his career Vikram was offered many music videos to direct and though he did dabble in them, his interest was pushed by his good friend, the renowned artist Brinda Miller in 2009 when he was coerced to make a short film on Gandhi for one of the biggest art festivals in the country, The Kala Ghoda Art Festival in Mumbai. The film went around the art galleries of the country later and has been screened at various galleries, venues and presentations. His interest was further piqued with the coming of age of HD DSLRS and he is now making short films, fashion films and experimenting with stop motion, revisiting some of his old projects.
Vikram has been part of the Fine Art world for very long. In fact his first editorial fashion shoots in the late 90's were shown at various fashion clubs, galleries, photography shows. And since the last few years Vikram has been showing his work as an artist, solo and in group shows, with luminaries like Bruta, Pareish Maitey, Arzaan Khambatta, Akbar Padamsee, Brinda Miller and many more. Vikram's works are now part of galleries and private collections and is now invited for various art camps.
In the year 2004, Vikram published a quarterly fashion coffee table magazine Twisted Heads which was a mix of photography, art, poetry... a miniature beehive and a platform for the creative artist to showcase their work.
A spiritual free thinker imbibed with the love of people and life and extremely approachable, Vikram loves to connect with people from all walks of life, be it a village or town.
His other passions are writing, travelling. A self confessed technology and speed junkie, he combines his passions by driving around the country and writing about it for magazines and publications. A keen and forceful talker Vikram has written for news papers like Mumbai Mirror. He has co hosted car shows, gadget shows, reality shows and presented many other TV shows.
Vikram's spiritual parents have imbibed in Vikram a sense of giving back to the community and he has been giving lectures and teaching for almost 10 years in different colleges and universities around the country, from technical institutes to art colleges. A speaker at many events and gatherings Vikram imparts both photographical and philosophical knowledge.
His favourite pastime is driving his old classic car, eating and jesting at typical Irani hangouts with his buddies. So you can catch him on a Sunday afternoon at one these joints and joust with him.
The road to your dreams maybe long and winding,
The twists it takes to bring you to your destination maybe unexpected,
But when you do arrive, you arrive with an enriched and a stronger soul,
And the knowledge that this is where you are to make your mark.
--Vikram Bawa