In an era marked by rapid urbanization and relentless development, where natural landscapes are often sacrificed in the name of progress, Saksham Singh (PH2) emerges as a shining example of sustainability and creativity.
I have had the privilege of knowing Saksham personally, as he is the son of my neighbours Mr MP Singh and Ms. Archana Singh.
Saksham’s journey is as compelling as his art. An alum of DPS Noida and a 2021 graduate of NID Amravati, he has always had a profound connection with nature. His work, especially his series of trees painted with self-extracted natural pigments, is not just about art—it is about creating landscapes within our minds.
These paintings serve as a gentle yet powerful reminder of the wilderness that once thrived where our cities now stand.
Bridging the Urban-Nature Divide
After his graduation, Saksham joined Samsung Electronics in Bangalore as a Senior Experience Planner. It was here that he introduced biodiversity walks, encouraging his colleagues to observe life beyond human forms.
This initiative was so impactful that it evolved into a biodiversity club, emphasizing the importance of preserving and understanding diverse ecosystems within urban settings.
Saksham’s exploration of wild habitats has taken him from the fringes of the deciduous landscapes around Bangalore to the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats. These experiences are vividly reflected in his paintings, each stroke imbued with the essence of the landscapes he has traversed.
Saksham’s work at the ‘River of Life’ festival by Azim Premji University in 2022, documenting the plight of an urban river in the Bengaluru region, was a significant milestone. This project, later presented at NID, highlighted the critical state of our water bodies and the urgent need for their preservation.
In 2023, Saksham collaborated with renowned rewilders Pradip Krishen and Fazal Rashid on a grassland restoration project at Scindia School, Gwalior. This collaboration was an invaluable experience, blending artistic interpretation with ecological restoration.
Currently, Saksham is immersed in his work at Auroville Botanical Gardens, focusing on land restoration and landscape design. Here, he designs interpretation experiences aimed at bridging the gap between humanity and our roots in the natural world.
Saksham’s dedication to this cause is further exemplified by his nine-year painting scholarship under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, from 2011 to 2019.
Through his art and advocacy, Saksham is not just painting pictures; he is painting a future where nature and humanity coexist in harmony. His work inspires us to look beyond our immediate surroundings, to cherish and restore the natural world that sustains us all.
