Bindu Bammi is an international artist with an astounding amount of talent and experience across many mediums. I met her at the ArtRoom in the Smiley Building, where she has been part of the conglomerate of painters, photographers, textile designers, and architects that make up the local artist studio group since its onset in November 2021. Sitting in her studio, which is rich with color and romanticized by texture resonant of her upbringing in India, I quickly discovered that Bindu is a human who makes you feel like a lifelong friend in no time. It’s no wonder that she has lived many lives across the globe, from India to Philadelphia, The Philippines to Indonesia. The richness and depth of her experience coupled with the warmth and curiosity of her personality transmute openness and acceptance. These same qualities can be felt in her abstract expressionist works, which take on lives of their own and are deeply embedded with the dynamism of Bindu’s artistic panache.

Bindu’s background in the arts is extensive to say the least, deepened by educational concentrations. After more than two decades as an art educator at Jakarta International School in Indonesia, Bindu also worked as an art therapist. Throughout her travels and background in education, she has found endless ways to channel her creativity and extraordinary talents into painting, graphic design, textile and jewelry design, in addition to art therapy and art education. Durango gained a creative gem when her and her husband moved here full time several years back.

Bammi’s artistic roots started young, and her skills were fostered throughout her young life. By the time she reached high school, she was struck by the knowing that she would pursue textile design. She went on to study textile design, in addition to earning a Master’s Degrees in educational technology and eventually another in Art Therapy. She blended this varied background into an active and enthusiastic role as art educator, innovative arts program leader, and artist at international schools in The Philippines and Indonesia.

“Whatever they needed — set design for theater, graphic design, costumes… anything that had to do with art, I would make it. I also introduced digital arts to students, helping them create online portfolios and blogs.” - Bindu Bammi

Eventually Bindu shifted into art therapy, starting her career in an educational setting in one-to-one therapy sessions with autistic children who responded to a lot of tactile therapies. After some time adjusting to the career, which was not what she originally thought it would be, Bindu focused her art therapy on women empowerment, conducting one-on-one and group sessions with women, which she cites as extremely powerful.

Now settled in Durango with her husband, Bindu channels her extraordinary experience as a designer, art educator and therapist into her presence and studio in the ArtRoom. Influenced by some of the non-representational greats — Dali, Clyfford Still, Mark Rothco, in addition to the Southwest’s own ‘Queen of the Desert,’ Georgia O’Keeffe, Bindu’s works emanate spontaneity and flow. Characterized by her dedication to let the movement of the composition guide her instead of her guiding it, each painting unfolds into a stunning space for emotional and mental abstraction. As a painter, Bindu strives to create this space for the viewer to project their own experience — their own interpretation and emotions and impressions of shape and color.

In addition to painting, Bindu’s studio also features her contemporary polymer clay jewelry, and on the other side of the studio, her husband Mike works in leather. Between her jewelry, textiles, watercolor, and acrylic paintings, color and texture are tantamount to her works, threaded as the theme that ties them all together.

“Color and texture, that defines what I do. I start my abstract paintings with some original ideas for the color palette and some movement in my head. Then I follow the painting as it comes together, and it takes on a life of its own. The color and the movement guides me.”

What’s it like having a studio in the ArtRoom?

Through the incredible encouragement from my husband, we rented the ArtRoom studio space. He has been a strong supporter and encourager, and having this studio has been life changing for many reasons. The ArtRoom is like a creative Mecca, and it’s allowed me to interact with other artists and with the great Durango community. It’s also created real self growth. It’s allowed me to build the confidence to produce more work and to be showing my work in front of others in a public sort of forum is real self growth. It’s like before I was in a public studio space, I was painting more of just what I want and not thinking about how someone will react to my work. I just felt an attitude of, “what’s the point of I’m just going to put it away in the garage?”

When did you begin making art?

I’ve been doing art forever. I remember way back as a little girl sitting under my dad’s desk drawing on pieces of paper. Then during my freshman year of high school, I was introduced to the idea of being a textile designer. And I thought, “That’s it. That’s what I want to be.”

Who are your biggest influences?

Since I’m so moved by color, my influences definitely include painters Georgia O’Keeffe, Rothko, Jackson Pollock and Clyfford Still. Clyfford Still especially. I’m also inspired by the Impressionists, although it’s not exactly the kind of work I like to do. Abstract tells what I want to say best.

Are you currently represented by any galleries?

My jewelry is currently at Azul Gallery in Downtown Durango, and I am interested in finding representation for my acrylic and watercolor paintings.

What’s next for you?

My artwork is on currently display above Alpine Bank and at the Durango Public Library. I just wrapped up a showcase in Durango Community Recreation Center.

What are your social media handles?

instagram: @bindu61 website: spicedred.com

BEKAH KOLBE Bekah Kolbe is a curator, gallerist, and writer based in Durango, CO.