“A motorcycle is not just a machine to ride; it is a sculpture in motion. Through my art, I try to pause that motion and allow people to admire its design, its soul, and the stories it carries.” — Chiranjith Barui
In the contemporary landscape where art, design, and technology increasingly intersect, Chiranjith Barui emerges as a distinctive voice whose creative practice celebrates the often-overlooked beauty of machines. Based in Bangalore, he is a Product Designer, Design Educator, Moto Artist, and Illustrator, currently serving as an Assistant Professor and Coordinator at the School of Design, Media and Creative Arts, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru. His work bridges the precision of engineering with the sensibility of fine art, transforming motorcycles and automobiles into visual narratives that evoke memory, craftsmanship, and human emotion.
At the heart of Chiranjith’s artistic practice lies a deep fascination with classic motorcycles and vintage automobiles. Yet, his engagement with these machines extends far beyond their mechanical function. For him, they are living artefacts—repositories of stories, symbols of cultural identity, and embodiments of a design philosophy rooted in elegance and craftsmanship. Every machine carries a personality shaped by time, use, and human interaction. Through his artistic lens, these vehicles transcend their utilitarian roles and become poetic subjects that speak of journeys, aspirations, and histories.
What captivates Chiranjith most is the aesthetic language embedded within mechanical forms. The graceful sweep of a fuel tank, the rhythmic geometry of an engine, the weathered texture of metal, and the delicate balance between structure and movement become visual elements worthy of contemplation. His works invite viewers to appreciate motorcycles not merely as engineered objects but as sculptural forms whose beauty resides equally in function and form. His paintings reflect a harmony between technical precision and artistic expression, revealing the elegance hidden within machinery.
His background as a product designer profoundly informs his artistic methodology. Years of sketching products, studying form, and understanding materiality have sharpened his ability to observe and interpret mechanical details with remarkable precision. Yet, technical accuracy is only one dimension of his work. Beneath every carefully rendered surface lies an emotional narrative. Chiranjith possesses the ability to imbue machinery with a sense of presence and character, allowing viewers to perceive these machines almost as living companions rather than inanimate objects.
Among the subjects that inspire him most are classic two-stroke motorcycles—machines that once dominated Indian roads and have now largely disappeared from contemporary landscapes. His artistic journey into moto art began in 2014 following a memorable ride from Rameshwaram to Bangalore on a Royal Enfield Electra. The experience became a turning point, inspiring his first motorcycle painting and igniting a lifelong exploration of the emotional connections between riders and machines. Since then, he has continued to document and celebrate these iconic vehicles through his art.
Working primarily in watercolor and ink, Chiranjith captures not only the physical form of these vehicles but also the spirit they embody. His artworks function as visual archives, preserving the legacy of machines that are gradually fading from everyday life. Through delicate washes and intricate linework, he recreates the textures, character, and atmosphere associated with these iconic motorcycles.
Beyond motorcycles, Chiranjith finds inspiration in the poetry of everyday life. Birds, urban landscapes, bustling streets, and fleeting human interactions frequently appear in his sketchbooks. Through travel sketching and observational drawing, he records the subtle narratives hidden within ordinary moments. His artistic style combines realism with restraint, creating images that are both visually precise and emotionally evocative.
Through every brushstroke, Chiranjith Barui reveals the extraordinary within the ordinary. His art celebrates motion, memory, craftsmanship, and design, reminding us that machines, much like people, carry stories within them. In his hands, metal becomes memory, engineering becomes poetry, and the motorcycle emerges as a timeless symbol of human ingenuity and aesthetic beauty.
-By Ms Kabita Manjari Tanty
Independent Art writer and curator
Assistant professor, School of Design Media and Creative Arts,
Jain (Deemed to be University)
Bengaluru
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