After training as a jewellery designer and maker, at the Sir John Cass School of Art, Media, and Design, of the London Metropolitan University, Meha began creating neckpieces that have a certain mood and unique story to tell. Removing an object from its regular context and combining it with a contrasting element, is what excites her most. An old key, an interesting feather, bits of brightly colour
ed felt, can evoke a memory, and create a certain mood. Some pieces evoke nostalgia and have an old world feel to them, with photographs of ancient crumbling walls, sepia toned portraits, old letters and keys. Some create a madcap and playful mood, with images of birds, colourful clotheslines and kites. More than just an aesthetic appeal, it is important that the neckpieces make a statement, provoke thought and arouse emotion. The work is inspired from different colours, textures, materials and objects found while travelling. She makes it a point to observe local design and creativity, take photographs, and collect handicrafts and materials, which become starting points for her creative process. Miniature paintings from Rajasthan, hand-painted leather puppets from Andhra Pradesh and brass beads from the Dhokra tribe, have been paired with everyday found objects like electrical wires and cycle parts. Japanese prints by printmaker Hiroshige have been cleverly combined with Kalamkari paintings on silk from Orissa. She has used carved jade from China, hand painted betel nuts from Orissa, and rough cut semi-precious stones from Rajasthan. Wooden parrots painted in brilliant colours from the Philippines, have ended up with black and red Huayruru seeds from Peru, miniature ceramic cups from China, and tiny glass bangles used as markers by pigeon collectors in India. Multiple techniques and processes have been used in the making of each piece. Embedding images and objects in resin, designing and hand cutting silhouettes in metal are her signature techniques. Embroidery, beading, laser-cutting, and powder-coating on metal have also been employed. Baby Baniya pieces are an amalgamation of opposites - organic and synthetic, hard and soft, old and new, crafted and found.
