.png)
Dr Ajay Kothari is a Rocket Scientist and President/CEO of Astrox Corporation which he founded in the Washington DC area. His PhD and MS in Aerospace Engineering are from the University of Maryland. He was born in India and has lived in the US for 45+ years with 30+ years as US citizen. He was born in India and was a National Merit Scholar there. His work comprises of abstracts and impressionists in both oil and acrylic. His paintings were exhibited at the New York Art Expo in 2022 and at the Watergate Gallery in Washington with several pieces sold. His paintings are available at Saatchiart.com.
He has been invited to speak on aerospace subjects by many entities, interviewed on television shows and his articles on space-related topics have been published by various newspapers. He is also the first Indian American member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) for Washington-Baltimore region, having acted in a few TV shows as a hobby in the US like “Law and Order”, “The Wire”, and others for NBC, HBO and other Hollywood and independent film productions.
Dr. Kothari, you have an extensive career as a rocket scientist and the President/CEO of Astrox Corporation. How do you balance your time and energy between your demanding career in aerospace engineering and your passion for painting and acting?
Actually, I find that they feed on each other. When one part of the brain is truly tired from doing rocket science thinking, the other part is clamoring for artistic food! In the beginning I thought the two parts will be at war with each other, fight each other, but fortunately it didn’t get there! So, the energy portion is not a problem. As for time, yes, my paintings are done only in the evening or weekends.
Your work comprises abstracts and impressionists in both oil and acrylic. Can you share what inspires your artistic creations and how your background in science influences your approach to art?
I actually do not like science affected paintings, like those on Lunar or Mars landscapes etc. I find abstracts a thousand times more fulfilling, where imagination of idea, shape, colors can play havoc. Impressionists too. In Washington, we have this museum called Phillips Gallery that contains many original impressionists like Monet, Van Gogh, Hassan, even a Rembrandt. A lot of inspiration there too. When I paint, I like to leave the science part behind, a million miles!
Your paintings have been exhibited at prestigious venues like the New York Art Expo and the Watergate Gallery in Washington. How has the reception of your artwork by the public and critics impacted your artistic journey?
At the last Watergate Gallery showing (it was a group show), many came up and said my painting was the best there. So that was inspiring to create more. But since then, nothing much which has made me artistically lazy also. But then I use such periods to go back to rocket science and work there (see my OpEd just published. So, the time is always full!
As someone deeply involved in both the arts and sciences, do you find any interdisciplinary connections between your work in aerospace engineering and your art? How do these fields influence each other in your life?
There is one common thread, which is “Creativity”. You won’t believe but there is a lot of creative thinking in designing space planes and rockets, not in terms of shapes (which are ruled by aerodynamics, propulsion and structures) but many “what if” ideas. Such as what if we dock the upper stages in orbit to increase the payload rather than designing a larger and larger rocket? So artistic mentality does help science. But as far as the opposite is concerned, it is a strict no-no to me. A big dam in science affecting art. I hate it! (😊)
In addition to your scientific and artistic endeavors, you are also an accomplished actor, having appeared in shows like 'Law and Order' and 'The Wire.' How did you get involved in acting, and what role does it play in your creative expression and personal fulfillment?
I am a good actor but, to be frank, America is not open to Asian (includes Indian) ancestry actors - only mostly Black and White. It is quite bad for Asians here. Almost all casting calls are for African Americans or White Caucasians. So not even a chance to audition and show your grit. If you think Hollywood has been open to all, you would be drastically mistaken. Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians are ignored by media and Hollywood.
More info:
Online catalogue:
Comentarios