Alaiia Gujral. Pic/ Vidura Jang Bahadur

If Alaiia Gujral could be a colour, it would be indigo. Working with dyes, Gujral can have blue hands for days; we are told that her hair is a deep midnight blue. "I wish I could be a Smurf," she says, and breaks into laughter. We are on a call with Gujral, an artist based out of Chicago, who continues, "I am obsessed with the colour. It brings me a lot of happiness. It is my playground, an opportunity for me to explore my art." Our conversation is interjected often by a squeaky sound in the background. Unperturbed, she chuckles and says it's her teacup Yorkshire terrier, Brutus fiddling with his toy.