“Art is not just about creating something beautiful, it is also about giving life to the forgotten, the discarded, and the overlooked.” This is how Poonam Shah (37) describes her artistic philosophy — a belief that led her to start something truly unexpected in a quiet corner of her Mumbai studio.

Her journey into the art world began as a tickle of curiosity during her time in the US. Today, it has blossomed into a full-time passion (and profession!), one that combines her creative spirit with the happy memories of her daughter’s childhood.

Poonam, who converts outgrown toys into one-of-a-kind resin art furniture, believes that every repurposed piece has a story to tell. She sees her work as more than just functional — it’s deeply personal. Whether it’s a chair, a table, or a playful lamp, each creation is infused with nostalgia and creativity.

The first brush with resin art

Born and raised in Mumbai, Poonam started her career in finance. After completing her master’s degree in the UK, she worked at Deloitte for a few years.

But things took a different turn when she got married and moved to Philadelphia. It was during her six years there that she first encountered resin art. “Something about it caught my attention, and I felt drawn to it. It felt like a whole new world of creativity had opened up to me, and I wanted to explore the art more,” she tells The Better India.

“I have always had a creative side. I get it from my mother, who is also artistic,” Poonam adds. “Back then, in India, pursuing art professionally wasn’t common. A decade ago, people would ask — can you really make a living from it? Thankfully, the mindset is changing now, and art is getting the recognition it deserves.”

Poonam’s decision to pursue resin art raised a few eyebrows at first. But once she shared her plans with her family, they encouraged her to follow her passion.

While in Philadelphia, she took two workshops to understand the basics of resin art. She also frequented art galleries, carefully observing resin pieces to learn more about the........

© The Better India