Jackie Sleper is just one of several Dutch artists captivated by the Indian panorama. Currently in Delhi for a presentation of her works at Bajaj Capital Art House, Sleper, 47, is enthusiastic about her first visit to the capital. “It all began when I met Sushma (Bahl, art curator) at Florence in 2005 and we started talking. My first work of art inspired by India was the black buck which I translated into an object,” explains Sleper.

The mother of seven—who has a specialisation in agriculture — eventually found her calling in sculptures and photography. She takes large format black and white photographs of the Utrecht countryside and colours them with crayons and oil. The subjects vary from people trudging on the road to the picturesque scenery.

“I walk through the streets making pictures of whatever I find interesting,” says Sleper, in her halting English. Largely known for her sculptures that she prefers to refer to as “objects”, Sleper, whose works are part of the ongoing travelling exhibition called ‘Dulcey Amargo’ at Mexico’s Museo de la Ciudad Santiago de Queretaro, is feted for her experimentation with indigenous materials. The exhibit, a tribute to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, features a sculpture called Rocatizad — dedicated to the feisty curator of Dulcey Amargo Matty Roca. She was also the winner of the section “Sculpture and Installation” at the Florence Biennale 2007.

“I go to countries, buy local music, watch local films and read local books and try to assimilate the local culture as I did in China and Mexico. I love meeting people, they are my source of inspiration,” explains Sleper, who would be visiting Jaipur and meeting local artists like Vinay Sharma for an insight into India. She intends to travel in September, building up a body of work with 23 objects and mixed media on India.

At Bajaj Capital art house where Sleper is the artist of the month, five of her works are displayed. In one mixed media work, a gaping hole from a broken window stares out from a balcony, the border coloured by flaming flowers. In the process, she evokes the “political feelings” of those times. The original photograph was taken in China, shares Sleper. Meanwhile, another work shows the scenic countryside painted over by an indigo blue ocean with a speck of a woman in the background.