Michelle Poonawalla is a multifaceted personality whose body of work amalgamates creative expression with business leadership, while being heavily rooted in social responsibility. Michelle effortlessly steps into the boots of a visionary business leader, an accomplished artist, a passionate philanthropist, and a dedicated supporter of social causes. Not fitting into any single mould, she is the quintessence of versatility and an unyielding commitment to excellence.
Holding the reins of the prestigious Poonawalla Engineering Companies, Michelle’s role as Managing Director within the esteemed Poonawalla Group reflects her family’s rich legacy and heritage. However, it is in her artistic endeavours that Michelle’s truest expressions come through. Her creations, a harmonious coming together of modern technology like video mapping and motion sensors, and traditional mediums, serve as windows into her soul, each stroke of the brush an expression of her profound creativity, amassed knowledge and emotional depth.
Exploring Michelle’s artistic oeuvre is synonymous to traversing a path of self-discovery, embossed in poetry and storytelling. Her art, characterized by a kaleidoscope of colours, textures, and motifs, invite viewers with open arms, to surpass the mundane and embrace the extraordinary. What lies at the absolute core of her artistic vision are the motifs of butterflies, which serve as symbols of transformation, freedom, and the ceaseless pursuit of beauty. Through her work, Michelle encourages us to dream boldly, to navigate change, and to find solace in the ephemeral beauty of life.
But Michelle’s art goes over and above being just aesthetic pleasure; her canvas is also a catalyst for social change. Collaborations with organizations like the Delhi-based NGO Khushii allow her to leverage her creative talents for the betterment of society. In 2017, Michelle Poonawalla participated in a joint effort with Khushii. Eminent figures from the worlds of corporate, sports, and entertainment came together to collaborate with esteemed Indian artists, producing innovative artworks which were subsequently auctioned to raise funds.
In the same year, Michelle also collaborated with The Elephant Parade India project led by the Elephant Family, a charity supported by global leaders like His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Working alongside some of the top artists and designers in the country, Michelle contributed to the creation of a unique, life-sized elephant for a cross-continental public exhibition aimed at raising awareness and funds to establish safe corridors for endangered Asian Elephants. Michelle’s creation, titled Monsoon Magic, featured her distinctive painting technique with bold black lines, while vibrant colours added a whimsical element reflecting her signature style.
Her seminal work, Introspection (2018) – exhibited at Saatchi Gallery, London (as part of START, September 2019), Alserkal Avenue, Dubai (Dubai Art Week, March 2019), and as a collateral project at the Kochi Biennale, India (Kochi-Muziris Biennale, 2018) – stimulates the viewer to appreciate the
profound impact art can have on the human psyche. Through the immersing process of introspection, Michelle challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths, to question the status quo, and to keep building a brighter future.
More recently, in May 2022, the WWF Tiger Trail auction, hosted online via Sotheby’s Hong Kong, featured 56 lots, including Michelle Poonawalla’s piece Striped Tiger, a sculpture representing the symbiotic relationship between the Common Butterfly and the Tiger. Poonawalla’s artwork went on to fetch collections upwards of ₹7.3 lakhs, with all proceeds directed towards tiger conservation efforts. Striped Tiger was also displayed at The National Gallery of Singapore and MSpace and Maybank, Singapore, before being auctioned, with all proceeds directed to WWF Singapore.
Beyond the confines of the canvas, Michelle’s commitment to social change extends to the preservation of heritage and community structures. The restoration of the Pune Turf Club, a collaborative effort undertaken with her husband Yohan, exemplifies her dedication to preserving cultural heritage and fostering community development. By breathing new life into this historic landmark, Michelle hopes to not only honour the voluminous past but also pave the way for future generations to cherish and protect their cultural heritage.
Michelle’s journey as an artist and philanthropist is a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and purpose. Born into a family where art and creative expression were celebrated, Michelle was raised in an environment that, from the very beginning, laid the foundations for her enchanting tryst with the arts. Her late grandfather Jehangir Vazifdar, a pioneer in modern Indian art, has been a dominant influence in her life. Armed with an Honours degree in Interior Design and a Bachelor of Arts from the American College, Michelle’s artistic practice has evolved as the years have rolled by, incorporating elements of graphic design, mixed media, and new-age technology.
Her acclaimed exhibitions, spanning prestigious venues such as Sotheby’s and international events like the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, emblemise the global recognition of her artistic prowess and social impact. Through each exhibition, one can gain insight into Michelle’s unwavering commitment to exploring and reexploring her own artistic expression and parallelly effecting positive change in society. More recently Michelle has started experimenting with shorter digital format films. Her 3 min 36 second film Circle of Life addresses the idea of memory and is exhibited at the 7th Mediations Biennale in Poland.
Michelle’s design studio stems from her deep-seated love and commitment to design and architecture. Across the realms of development and interior design, she has embarked on numerous projects, showcasing her dynamic range of skills. With minute attention to detail in both planning and implementation, her studio has brought to life numerous high-end luxury properties across Mumbai, Pune, and Alibaug, with each work emanating excellence and unparalleled quality.
This year, Michelle anticipates the announcement of multiple groundbreaking projects under the umbrella of the Poonawalla Group, with a purpose of creating tangible impact at the grassroots level and steering sustained development across various demographics in India. Spearheading a gamut of pivotal international joint ventures, she looks forward to creating socio-economic change on a global scale. Michelle Yohan Poonawalla’s journey exhibits the transformative power of art and philanthropy in creating long-lasting social impact.
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