Car designer DC vrooms into the art world

Every time a unique creation zoomed past on the streets, you could be sure it was the handiwork of a name whispered with reverence among auto enthusiasts. Known just as DC, Dilip Chhabria has been the go-to-guy for all things designer when it comes to four wheels.

Touted as the celebrity guru for larger than life stars to customise their larger than life vehicles, his client list includes the Khans, the Dutts and the Kapoors of Bollywood with several industrialists thrown in for good measure. He’s even competed with international firms to complete an order from Europe for prototyping the new Aston Martin, Renault, Ford and GM!

From having started with a car accessories business, moving to complete customised car designs and then aviation, after which he diversified into furniture, DC is now finally showcasing the babies that have seen the better part of three years’ hard work — paintings and sculptures.

Flowing lines and mesmerising curves in 3D, the acrylic paintings and sculptures, which are a combination of wood, glass reinforced plastic, aluminum, crystal and steel, evoke the speed and aesthetics of his one-of-a-kind automobile creations. And yet, they seem to unleash something more, a restrained vision of the craft and magic that go into creating any work of art. The rather large pieces elicit the same awe one would experience at a race track, watching sleek metallic bodies defy gravity, inertia and more laws of physics than I could shake a stick at, with a feline grace.

Breathtaking without the dust and heat. DC says he spent more than 2,000 hours toiling away at one of the sculptures; truly a labour of love.

Zoom in for a dekko to catch them before they leave the track!

Dilip Chhabria’s show is on January 30 and February 1 at the Crystal Room, Taj Mahal Hotel Palace and Towers, Colaba, Mumbai; Tel: 66653366; Price: Ranges between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 14 lakh.