The Incredible Journey of Lakshmi Mohanbabu: Art Beyond Earth and Ocean Depths

 

Lakshmi Mohanbabu is a groundbreaking Singapore-based artist, architect, and fashion designer who has achieved something truly extraordinary. She is the first artist in the world to have her artwork both orbit Earth in space and be permanently installed at the ocean’s deepest point - nearly 7 kilometers below sea level near the Mariana Trench. This incredible feat marks a new era where art meets science and technology in the most extreme environments on our planet and beyond.

From Architecture to Artistic Innovation:

Lakshmi’s journey began with a degree in architecture from Manipal Institute of Technology, India. She initially worked with architectural firms but soon realized her passion extended beyond buildings. Her travels across Europe and Asia inspired her to explore fashion design and visual arts, leading her to study at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi.

She also illustrated books for organizations like the World Health Organization and the Voluntary Health Association of India, focusing on social issues such as disability. Teaching at NIFT and Singapore’s LASALLE College of the Arts allowed her to mentor young creatives, many of whom have won international awards. This early phase laid the foundation for her multidisciplinary approach, blending architecture, fashion, and art into innovative forms.

Expanding Artistic Horizons with Technology:

Lakshmi’s artistic practice evolved to include painting, sculpture, and cutting-edge 3D-printed artworks. Her work has been showcased internationally, including a mosaic animation on the world’s largest HD screen at Singapore’s Suntec Convention Centre. She collaborated with global organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and the National AIDS Control Organization, using art to highlight social and environmental issues.

Her passion for pushing boundaries led her to merge art with technology, creating sculptures designed to withstand extreme environments.

Making History: Art in Space and the Deep Ocean:

In 2022, Lakshmi made history as the first Singaporean artist to send her sculptural series Interactions to orbit aboard the International Space Station (ISS). These sculptures are now scheduled for permanent installation on the Moon by 2025 as part of the Moon Gallery, the first-ever art gallery on the lunar surface.

But Lakshmi didn’t stop there. In December 2024, she installed three 3D-printed metal cubes nearly 7 kilometers deep in the Hadal Zone of the Pacific Ocean, near the Mariana Trench - the world’s deepest ocean art installation. These cubes, made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and featuring her signature “Universal Language of Symbols,” were deployed in collaboration with Singapore’s NuStar Technologies, Japan’s Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Not just art for art’s sake, these cubes are attached to seismic sensors that monitor undersea earthquakes and tsunamis, blending artistic expression with vital scientific research. This project honors victims of natural disasters and highlights global efforts in disaster mitigation.

Why Lakshmi Mohanbabu’s Work Matters:

• Lakshmi’s achievements are a testament to human creativity and resilience. She has:
• Become the first artist worldwide to place artwork both in outer space and at the ocean’s deepest point.
• Pioneered the use of advanced 3D printing and hybrid manufacturing technologies to create durable sculptures capable of withstanding extreme pressure and harsh environments.
• Collaborated with leading scientific institutions to integrate art with technology and environmental monitoring.
• Created art that serves a dual purpose - inspiring wonder and supporting scientific discovery.
• Inspired a new generation of artists and innovators through her teaching and mentorship.
• Her work symbolizes humanity’s curiosity, unity, and the power of collaboration across disciplines and borders.

Final Thoughts:

Lakshmi Mohanbabu’s journey from an architect in India to a global pioneer of space and deep ocean art is truly inspiring. Her visionary projects challenge us to rethink the limits of art and creativity, showing how it can connect us across the vastness of space and the depths of our oceans.

If you’re passionate about art, technology, or exploration, Lakshmi’s story is a shining example of how imagination and determination can break new ground - literally reaching for the stars and the ocean floor.

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