Meet Uma Rani Iyli

We had the good fortune of connecting with Uma Rani Iyli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Uma Rani, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
While during my early childhood in India I was always drawing, making family portraits, and engaging in arts and crafts, my talent was encouraged by my family. It truly was after my graduation from California College of the Arts with a degree in sculpture that I found my way to the committed path of being a professional visual artist. It has taken cycles of digging deep and working hard to stay on this path.

My mother, a homemaker, played a pivotal role in nurturing my artistic inclinations. In her free time she would often engage in knitting, needlework, and sewing for our family and friends. Observing her creativity inspired me to get involved, and I discovered a deep joy in these activities. As I reflect on those early memories I recall the afternoons and weekends spent immersed in handiwork projects with her during high school. Those moments have profoundly influenced my desire to honor that meditative process in my own studio practice. After high school, I realized that my greatest skill lay in the arts, and I decided to pursue it more formally. I enrolled in the College of Fine Arts in Bengaluru, India, marking the beginning of my creative career. It was a natural progression for me, driven by my passion and the influence of my upbringing.

There has also been a growing awareness of women’s work both here as a resident of the US for the past 28 years that allowed me to revisit the celebrations of creating garlands with women in my own Indian community and elements from our culture and heritage that have brought my artwork to where it is today. I have gone back to look at the impacts of the activist work my great-grandfather has made for our weaver community and that has fueled my pride and passion to carry on this torch through bringing attention to the gathered silk fibers from my annual trips to the weavers communities in India. It is a personal and professional passion and career.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a multidisciplinary artist working across various mediums, including painting, fiber sculpture, photography, and installation art. A few major themes that resonate in my work are diasporic identity, family heritage, domestic rituals, and women’s labor—both honoring and celebrating the often-overlooked contributions of women. I draw inspiration from materials and processes typically associated with the domestic sphere, using them as a means to tell stories that reflect my experiences and heritage. My creative process is repetitive and meditative, echoing traditional hand work practices tied to my Indian background and childhood memories. This repetitive making—whether it’s wrapping, painterly mark-making, or creating intricate patterns—shapes the various series of my artworks. Color plays a significant role in my pieces, and I intentionally integrate vibrant colors inspired by traditional saris in my art, considering notions of women’s work and its link to the hand. Growing up in India’s traditional caste-based society, I identify myself with the weavers’ community, and with that identity I reference to weaving and patterning in my art.

For the last seven years I have been using repurposed silk threads from Sari looms for my fiber-work sculptures as well as my most current paintings. These silk threads are gathered directly from the weaver’s community during my annual trips to India to visit my family, and to reconnect with my roots. In a more literal sense, the meaning of this directly sourced material is growing in significance in my work physically and conceptually. Intertwining all these elements are at the foundation of my practice as an artist and what inspires me to pursue the layered direction of my multi-media approach. The Brocades Painting Series uses bright, loud and vibrant colors from my East Indian roots and heritage. Within this series, gold serves as a continuum in material and color. My organic textures, line work and color, capture my memories of the fabric of the saris as well as the essences of their unique patterns.

The Winding and Unwinding Fiber Sculpture Series is created by hand wrapping Silk Threads onto Plexi-tubes. I then rearrange them in a way, reweaving into new patterns. It is my intention that the meditative process that creates each fiber work conveys a contemplative and grounding experience for the viewer. With celebratory origins of Indian weddings and festivals, my color and material selections are intended to elicit uplifting emotions. The use of Sari fibers, their colors, and my overall reference to Sari in my work is also about the women wearing them, honoring and celebrating the labor of women.

As I often use leftovers from my own art practice to create new work, Q-tips used as brushes for my paintings are then turned into subjects for my photography. I further upcycle them to create my garland Installations. Seeing these remnants of my process as powerful symbols of connection inspired me to capture these colorful networks of Q-tips with curiosity through photography. Conceptually, these networks of Q-tips are about networking with people and making connections. The Q-tip Garland Installation Series is based on the process of hand tying these colorful Q-tip relics into garlands in the way traditional flower garlands are created. This series connects me with memories of my childhood days when I made jasmine flower garlands with my mother. I see the discarded Q-tip material as transformative. Woven together, they also reference DNA strands. Biological references are a constant with my work hand in hand with ideas of identity, feminism and women’s work.

My most recently developed series, Fortune Tellers – Tell me the Future Series is a collection of folded and painted fortune-tellers that stir up childhood memories of excitement. It is almost irresistible to not want to pick these playful objects up. They taunt us to open and close them. They raise our curiosity. Fortune-tellers have enchanted the human psyche for centuries. Used as contemporary playful tools in my installation work, these fortune-tellers provide a sense of hope and direction. In today’s challenging and confusing times, it is my hope that this new origami installation series “Tell me the Future Series” contributes a positive and inquisitive perspective.

Pursuing a career in art for over 30 years requires deep passion, resilience, and the support of a community. While the journey has had its challenges, I’ve learned to view them as opportunities for growth. Pushing the boundaries of perception in my studio practice is essential to my artistic identity, and this inquisitiveness drives me to engage viewers in meaningful exchanges through my work. To reach a broad audience, I actively seek various platforms—national and local fairs, alternative spaces, and galleries—to showcase my art. In today’s art world, being an artist means wearing many hats; beyond creation, I handle marketing, installation, and sharing my work, which is crucial for sparking important conversations. One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability, as the art world is constantly evolving. Surrounding myself with supportive peers and mentors has also been invaluable in navigating this journey. Ultimately, the key is to remain true to my vision while engaging with the world around me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Absolutely! My journey in LA has evolved significantly since I immigrated to California over 25 years ago. My early memories revolve around iconic theme parks and sights like Universal Studios, Disneyland, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Malibu Temple, and Hollywood. Now, my connection to the city is even stronger, especially with my art studio on the east side in Lincoln Heights at Keystone Artspace. In the last couple years, I have also been participating in Open Studios at Wonzimer and Keystone Art Space and several key art galleries such as Track16 Gallery, Patricia Sweetow Gallery, and Irvine Fine Arts Center.

When hosting a friend, I’d stay the week at the “Thompson Hollywood”, where I love the vibrant energy. The rooftop bar, “Bar Lis”, is a must-visit for stunning sunset views and lively nightlife. For dinner, I highly recommend “KA’TEEN” for delicious Mexican cuisine, and “Mother Wolf” for an incredible Italian experience—both places offer great ambiance and friendly service. For breakfast or brunch, “Superba Food + Bread” is a delightful spot.

We’d definitely explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame and enjoy the local scene. One of my favorite hangouts for Thursday nights with friends is the “Desert 5 Spot”, a rooftop bar with cowboy vibes, perfect for taco nights accompanied by live music and breathtaking Hollywood views.
In Downtown LA, after a visit to art walks in the area I’d take my friend to enjoy dinner at “Badmaash”, an Indian restaurant with a modern twist and flavorful dishes.
A day at “Abbot Kinney Boulevard” in Venice Beach for boutique shopping and a leisurely stroll. We could start with breakfast at “The Row” and cap it off with dinner at “Gjelina”.

As an artist, I would be remiss not to visit various galleries. I’d take my friend to “Manuela” for lunch at the Hauser & Wirth art complex in DTLA, which features multiple exhibitions. We can explore the Institute of Contemporary Art, The Broad Museum, Art Share LA and the Museum of Modern Art- all fantastic venues to immerse ourselves in the local art scene.
I’d also invite my friend to visit my studio at “Keystone Art Space” on a Saturday afternoon, ideally a visit to art walks in the area coordinating it with an art opening. We could check out the nearby WonZimer Gallery Exhibition and have food at “Barbara’s” for beer, burgers and tacos in a casual setting at Brewery Arts Complex. Later head over to the Bendix Building in the Fashion District to see shows at Track 16 Gallery, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, and more.

Lastly, I wouldn’t want to miss the Gallery Building at 1700 So. Santa Fe Avenue, which hosts several esteemed galleries such as Vielmetter, Nicodim Gallery, Wilding Cran Gallery, and Patricia Sweetow Gallery as well as my nearby favorites Night Gallery and Luis De Jesus. Each visit is an opportunity to discover new perspectives and connect with fellow artists and art enthusiasts.

This itinerary not only reflects my personal journey in LA but also showcases the vibrant cultural landscape that continues to inspire my work.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As an artist, having supportive family, friends and fellow artists is essential. Throughout my career there have been pivotal moments that have served as stepping stones for my career. One significant turning point came in 2014 when ArtSpan SF helped me transition from my home studio to their remarkable Journal Building Studio Residency on Market and Van Ness. This opportunity was crucial for me, as it allowed me to view my work in a broader context and forge genuine connections with the talented artist’s around me. Together we empowered and inspired each other, fostering a vibrant community of creativity. Years later, it was Meta who reached out to me for my first very large scale project as a result of the partnership with art advisor Heather Marx. Executed with the support of Meta curator Lele Barnett and installer Matthew McKinley of McKinley Art Solutions, this project experience has opened the door for opportunities for other large scale commissions and vendor partners as well as the consideration of public art opportunities. Most recently, I am so grateful to the de Young Museum for their ongoing programming of “The de Young Open” which supports local contemporary artists. It resulted in the first of many museum acquisitions of my work. I am so grateful for the opportunities this recognition may bring!

It truly takes a village to bring larger art projects to life. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my mentors, art consultants, vendors, framers, photographers, art movers, installers, gallerists, and the various art organizations I’ve worked with. I also want to acknowledge my studio friends; their support and camaraderie have been invaluable. Over my 30-year journey in the arts, I’ve built meaningful relationships with these amazing individuals, and their consistent engagement and encouragement have played a crucial role in my growth and success as an artist.

Website: https://www.umaraniiyli.com/

Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/uma_rani_iyli/

Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/umaraniiyli

Other: Youtube Videos: https://youtu.be/zLGkbg8ioBM?si=doqw1TCfc-FQaBZq https://youtu.be/-qfaDC19MAY?si=N38pQFwdz-Haw-Po 

Image Credits
John Janca (Art Photography)