In her poetic animations, Sakshi Jain welcomes mistakes rather than rubbing them out

The organic, peaceful work of the New York-based animator takes an analytical look at the workings of modern society.

While many creatives may spend time rubbing out or digitally removing mistakes from their work, the animator and illustrator Sakshi Jain welcomes them. In fact, she only believes a piece of hers to be complete when “a mistake effectively becomes part of the artwork”. To ensure there is potential for an ‘error’ or ‘fault’ to occur, the creative always begins each piece by hand, before later transferring it to a computer to be coloured or animated. But even when working digitally, she tries hard not to make anything that feels too “realistic” or “crisp”, instead leaning into visuals that are more “minimal” and “poetic”, finished with earthy, muted palettes.

Sakshi often draws inspiration from her immediate surroundings, endeavouring to find “a common connection between her and everyone else, a space we all share yet in our own worlds” and veering toward “deeply emotional topics”, like concerns about the climate. At first glance Sakshi’s beautiful piece Routine seems a peaceful look at the passage of time; but one look closer at the never ending cycle of cars, boats and planes, it transforms into pertinent commentary on our reliance on environmentally damaging forms of travel.

Sakshi Jain: Routine (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2022)

Sakshi Jain: The Spring Allergy (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2022)

Sakshi Jain: The 10 Best Books of 2022, The New York Times (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2022)

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Sakshi Jain: Settling a Tiff (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2023)

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Sakshi Jain: Every Living Thing, Waterbear Networks (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2022)

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Sakshi Jain: Floral Shirt, The Backseat Lovers (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2023)

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Sakshi Jain: The Best Thrillers of 2022, The New York Times (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2022)

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Sakshi Jain: Flower And Wiggle (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2023)

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Sakshi Jain: Summer Lunch (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2021)

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Sakshi Jain: The Best Poetry of 2022, The New York Times (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2022)

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Sakshi Jain: Inner Wound Real, Excerpt (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2022)

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Sakshi Jain: Scribble Home (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2022)

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Sakshi Jain: No Phones Allowed (Copyright © Sakshi Jain, 2023)

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About the Author

Olivia Hingley

Olivia (she/her) joined the It’s Nice That team as an editorial assistant in November 2021 and soon became staff writer. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in English literature and history, she’s particularly interested in photography, publications and type design.

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