Swati Rastogi Brings East Coast Art Flair To Dublin

The arts is a wonderful avenue to connect communities and provided an opportunity for new Dublin resident Swati Rastogi to find a space to contribute her unique artistic talents.

Swati is one of the artists who participated in the "Chair to Remember" Temporary Public Art Program run by the City of Dublin.

"I have observed many artsy things in my new location, especially Dublin and Pleasanton" said Swati. "I have seen murals, art galleries, public art in so many forms, art talks etc. but have not ventured much into the Livermore art scene. When I learnt about the Dublin Arts Collective I immediately got in touch and it has been a very informative platform. Secondly making contact with the City of Dublin's Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was beneficial too which gave me an opportunity for my first public art gig- painting the Adirondack chair for the "Chair To Remember" Project. I was just beginning to get the hang of art gigs in the area and then came the global pandemic which restricted many social meet ups."

The community is invited to visit these beautiful Adirondack chairs, painted by several local artists. The chairs are now on display, individually and in pairs, throughout Dublin at select businesses and City facilities. The City has launched the Dublin Public Art Passport Challenge which includes various chair locations. An online auction has been launched, and those interested in owning a chair will have the opportunity to place a bid. The chairs will be collected and displayed one last time at a location and time to be named later.

Swati's chair will be auctioned along with the others to raise funds for local arts projects. Her chair is currently on display at Thirsty Bay Tap 'n Pour, 5286 Iron Horse Parkway, Suite B.

We caught up with Swati in Dublin to ask her about her artistic journey.

"Art has always been my passion, " says Swati "driving me into formal education that included my Bachelors in Fine Arts and Masters in History of Arts. My art is a combination of both Fine Arts and Crafts. I have developed a style which involves my culture, tradition, aesthetics, emotions and intellect. My works are noted for elegance and attention to detail and I am highly influenced by folk and tribal arts of India- motifs from these reflect consistently in my art. It is an idea in the mind delivered on a surface and is a creative expression where I let my hands roam free."

Q. Tell us about the highlights of your artistic journey before moving here.

Before moving to California, I had a great, colorful and active art life in Jersey City and New York City. A few highlights I would like to share are:

· Receiving the citation from the Mayor of Jersey City for my art/cultural contributions to the City in 2019.

· Twice in my life (2018 and 2019), I have had the opportunity to paint the street in the heart of downtown with elements of pride art for the Jersey City LGBTQ pride festival, one of the most celebrated events on the East Coast.

· Painting a huge Mandala Rangoli art for the New York City Holi festival in 2018

· Having created murals for one of the most well known Indian sweet shop and restaurant chains in the country was also a very memorable moment of my art career.

Q. What projects are you currently working on?

Currently I am working on a huge canvas that is a commissioned work. It is a colorful mandala in my signature style that includes motifs and elements from the indigenous art of India as well as some inspirations from my henna designs. I also just finished painting many coaster sets for a wedding party favor. I am making a lot of art, hoping to have an opportunity to sell it at the end of the year during the holiday season.

Q. What has been the most heartwarming response to your artwork?

I have had many heartwarming responses to my artwork but one of the most touching was at the pride art for the LGBTQ festival in Jersey City. It attracted so many kids and families, people from in and outside of town, and their responses to the art was something very precious to me. They smiled, they laughed, they photographed and they all loved the hearts and other elements of the pride art so much. It gave me a great platform. They cried when the art was gone.

Q. What is the best advice you can share with those who are interested in becoming artists?

Being an artist comes from within, from the heart - it is not just something that takes education and action, it requires an innate gift and talent. It is an honor to express your thoughts through painting and words.

I would like to tell people that art has no boundaries and one must always express with freedom. Freedom of thought, freedom to create. I think one should not get influenced by “what sells” and one must honestly keep doing their work because someone, somewhere is watching them. Let your creativity flow naturally. You will discover so much about yourself and the possibilities are endless.

Q. What are you planning next?

Honestly when I first moved here, I immediately started thinking about how I can bring more ideas and variety to the art scene in the Tri-Valley or the Bay Area in general. I look forward to painting the town with my elements and adding more color to the city I now live in, and beyond.

Find Swati Rastogi's artwork on Instagram @swatirastogi.arts