About – Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee | Marine Conservation Artist

Artist Statement

Indian-born artist Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee settled her roots in the beautifully diverse city of Houston, TX in 2012. She has moved between countries, and cities to find her own space in this world, and to hunt for the universal and global connection amongst us. After crossing continents, this hunt has propelled her to continue her search in an element that physically connects us all – water. She is strongly influenced by marine life, drawing abundant inspiration from her experiences with scuba diving expeditions and with the ocean itself. Folmsbee is overloaded with ideas that she brings to life by showcasing them in multiple series.

In her work, Folmsbee creates ethereal, intricate shapes, which she calls characters, that are meant to invite the public into something very private. Her painting intend to take the viewer into the work’s moment of origin. Folmsbee captures various forms of the marin work through linear progression, color, and a visual take on abstract, and representional painting. These characters she conceputally conceives of live in their own world and space, but somehow also exist in ours. Typically, a collection of four or five or her works are installed together to tell a story, transforming the space into her version of ‘Davy Jones’ Locker’, an unreal world for the viewer to be injected into.

This year, Folmsbee has become actively more involved in the marine community by working with conservation organizations such as the Galveston Bay Foundation and Correa Lab, with the hope of creating awareness about the struggles face by the marine world. The works allow the viewer to better understand the hardships of our oceans, and the majestic creatures it holds. She has faith that with art, awareness, and the beauty, we as humans are capable of doing much more for our oceans and our environment.

Bio

Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee wants to live in a world where everyone can experience the beauty of our oceans. She was born and raised in Mumbai, India in a home overlooking the Indian Ocean. She is a 2009 graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (S.A.I.C). She currently lives and works in Houston. Folmsbee has shown her work in Mumbai, Beijing, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dubai, and the United States. Her works have been featured in international fairs, including Kunst Rai, Art Rotterdam, The Indian Contemporary Art Fair, Texas Contemporary Art Fair, Arte Dubai; in print media, including Harper’s Bazaar (Malaysia edition), The Times of India, the Houston Chronicle, Houston Modern Luxury, and Verve (India); and in television interviews on ABC News and KRPC Houston.

Folmsbee has created large fine art murals throughout Houston, which can be found on Google Earth. Her public works also include an important commission from the Red Cross Society in Mumbai, India.

Folmsbee collaborates and works with marine organizations like the G.B.F, Correa Lab, Maar Alliance, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A), and the Coral Restoration Foundation to help preserve our oceans. Recently, she created artwork used in scientific papers published in the Global Change Journal. The papers are used for research and studied by doctoral students worldwide. Her art practice appeals to broad audiences and educates them about the marine world. She also engages the general public through her official artwork for the 2019 Houston Chevron Marathon, the 2017 Super Bowl, and the FIFA World Cup 2024.

Folmsbee is on the Board of a non-profit called, Writers In The schools (WITS), she is passionate about helping others in the community and does a lot of administrative volunteer work. Folmsbee is also a Panelist at the Houston Arts Alliance.

CLIENTS

Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee, is a Houston-based Contemporary Artist that specializes in Marine Conservation Art.

EDUCATION
B.F.A. In Painting & Drawing : The School of The Art Institute of Chicago (S.A.I.C) Chicago IL. U.S.A. July 2008.
RESIDENCIES
OxBow, Michigan: Summer 2008.
L’AIR ARTS, Paris, France: Fall 2018.
AWARDS
2018 – The recipient of the $65,000.00 Bayfront Mural Installation by the Port of San Diego.
2018 – HAA Communities project grant recipient for a project titled “Story Trails” total amount $55,000.00, grant concept and writing.
2018 – SKY ART Award Recipient, Houston, Texas.
2017 – REEF, National India Marine Art Competition, Special mention for Art Award.
PANELS, BOARDS AND JUROR POSITIONS
2022 – FotoFest Board Member
2020 – Board Member for Writers In The Schools and Chair of the Outreach Committee
2019 – Board Member for Writers In The Schools and Chair of the Outreach Committee
2019 – HAA Panel Grants Dept. Panel for 2020 grant applications.
2017 – MOCA Houston, Mayor of Houston’s Art Scholarship Fund.

PUBLIC WORKS & PROJECTS
2022 – “Aquarius Art Tunnel”, commissioned by Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs on behalf of IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport through the city’s Civic Art Program and Houston Art’s Alliance.
2021 – Art mural wall at Hanover designed by Michael HSU Office of Architecture, Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas.
2020 – Design of Bike Around the Bay Jersey 2020, for the Galveston Bay Foundation.
2020 – Art of Soccer, 2026 FIFA World Cup Houston, Client: Crown Castle.
2020 – Correa Lab, Rice University. Art work for paper ‘Symbiotic Community diversity is more variable in corals that respond poorly to stress. By Lauren I. Howe-Kerr’- Publication in global change journal.
2019 – J Spine and Coral Installation, The Adam Wylie Hospital, Mumbai. Commissioned by the Indian Red Cross Society.
2019 – Correa Lab, Rice University Logo and Artwork.
2019 – Houston Arts Alliance, Caydon selected Artist.
2019 – The Port Of San Diego, Arts Month T- Shirt.
2018 – Artwork for The Houston Chevron Marathon Committee. Featured Art for the 2019 Houston Marathon.
2018 – Museum of Fine Arts Houston; displays a selection of four kimonos by Folmsbee and Kimono Zulu
2018 – Houston Sky art Project winner, Billboard all over the city will be covered by art by Janavi M Folmsbee, Houston Texas
2017 – Collaboration with Kimono Zulu, Exhibited at Cindy Lisica Gallery, Houston, Texas.
2017 – ‘Waves of Wonder’ A 1400 sq ft Mural, 8080 Main St. Houston, Texas.
2017 – ‘Houston Charactered away’ Launch HTX Mural for Houston First.
2017 – Local Foods, indoor art installation, Houston, TX.
2016 – Selected Artist to paint two NFL Riddell Helmets for the 2017 Houston Super Bowl, by the Super Bowl host committee of Houston.
2016 – Collaboration with Roche Bois Bois on Mah Jong line.
2016 – ‘Rail to the Sea’ A 5000 sq ft Mural, commissioned through Leadership Houston Class XXV and selected through the Houston Arts Alliance. Wall is located at 1505 Sawyer St, Houston Texas.
2016 – Light by night, day for hey’ mini mural through up art studio and the Houston Arts Alliance: located at Airline and Dyna Dr. Houston, Texas.
SOLO
2022 – “Calm Water Color Storm” Heidi Vaughan Fine Art, Houston, USA.
2012 – Artist Village Gallery, Beijing, China.
2012 – Canvas Art International Amsterdam, Netherlands.
2012 – Jehangir Art Gallery, Hirji art gallery: Mumbai, India
2010 – The Museum Gallery Mumbai, India “PERCEPTUAL PERCEPTION”.
2008 – Viewing of Works At L’Vista, Mumbai, India. Exhibition on Anatomical Sketches and Paintings.
2006 – Henry Thames “Anatomy in a Conceptual World” Mumbai, India.
2006 – L’Vista“Reality” In Mumbai, India.
2005 – Jumerah “Fall Of Anatomy” Dubai, U.A.E.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 – “RANGOLI”, curated by Heidi Vaughan Fine Art, OJAS ART, Texas Asia Society & held in Conjunction with the Jaipur Literature Festival, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
2019 – Femme “A Celebration of women” HCCgallery, Houston. U.S.A.
2019 – India Art Festival, Mumbai, India.
2018 – MANGER ‘To eat’ , Memoire-a-venir gallerie, Paris, France.
2018 – Artists for Artists, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
2018 – Index Dubai Art fair: Exhibited with Art Mudra Gallery, Dubai, U.A.E.
2018 – ARTBOX Project New York 1.0, Manhattan, NYC. U.S.A.
2017 – “French Texan Dialogues” Yvonamor Palix Art Gallery, Houston, U.S.A.
2017 – Harvey Relief Exhibit at Samara Art Gallery, Houston, U.S.A.
2017 – “French Texas Dialogues” Yvonamor palix fine art, Houston, U.S.A
2017 – Emerging – Upcoming Artists of Houston, City Hall, Houston, U.S.A.
2017 – Knight Frank Wealth Artra Palettes Exhibit, Mumbai, India
2017 – Serrano Gallery, Colore, Houston, U.S.A.
2015 – Samara Gallery, Misinformation is Ammunition, Houston, U.S.A
2015 – The Mariagio Collective, Group Show. Houston, U.S.A
2014 – Who Are We? COCA, Center on Contemporary Arts, Seattle, U.S.A
2014 – The Gig Harbor Museum in Washington, U.S.A
2014 – National Rocky Mountain Water Media Competition, Golden Colorado.
2014 – Show with DE ART XPERT, Dubai U.A.E
2014 – 27th Annual McNeese National Works on Paper , Louisiana, U.S.A
2014 – Cancer Society of Houston, Houston,Texas, U.S.A
2010 – Auction for Hope For Haiti, Mumbai, India
2008 – Auction At OxBow: Saugatuck Michigan, U.S.A
2006 – Michigan Art Gallery Chicago, U.S.A
FAIRS
2019 – India Art Festival, Mumbai, India.
2018 – Index Dubai Art Fair: Exhibited with Art Mudra, Dubai, U. A. E.
2015 – Texas Contemporary Art Fair, Samara Gallery, Houston, U.S.A
2012 – KunstRai, Art Fair, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2012 – RAW Art Rotterdam, Art Fair, Rotterdam, Netherlands