Breaking, Becoming, Beyond: How I Live and Create
In abstract art, failure becomes a foundation for renewal. Artist Ritu Raj reflects on repurposing old canvases and embracing layers of transformation in art.
For me, creating art has never been just about the canvas — it’s about how I live. At the heart of my work are three driving forces: transgression, transformation, and transcendence. To transgress is to push beyond what’s expected, to break the rules that feel too small for what I need to express. To transform is to let myself change, to embrace the unknown, and to trust that growth comes through risk. And to transcend is to move beyond the surface, to touch something deeper, something that connects beyond the self.
This philosophy doesn’t stop in the studio. As a polymath — an artist, thinker, and founder — I’ve brought these same ideas into every startup I’ve built. For me, product development is another kind of abstract art. I don’t follow trends or copy formulas; I break patterns, reshape ideas, and try to create products that carry meaning, that open up new ways for people to see and experience the world. Every company I’ve led has been an experiment in turning abstraction into something alive — something that transforms not just how we work, but how we feel and connect.
In both my art and my ventures, I’m committed to living fully and courageously. Whether I’m working with paint, technology, or business models, I’m always guided by that restless drive: to break through, to become, to reach beyond. This isn’t about chasing someone else’s idea of success — it’s about staying true to the deeper philosophy that shapes everything I do. Transgression, transformation, transcendence: they’re not just abstract ideas; they are the way I move through the world.
You can view the full Pop Art here ›.
