Nevertheless, he adds, it is a misnomer that different prints of a digital work would be identical as there will be changes depending on the computer, printer, and even the paper used. He says the medium has allowed him to ‘break several boundaries’, and illustrates the point by pointing out that it enabled him to create his own Mappa mundi (world map), inspired by the 13th century European Ebstorf Mappa mundi. Sheikh’s map features Kabir and Majnu, and even images from Persia.

Another advantage of using a computer, he says, is that it can do certain things in a matter of hours instead of days. “But,’’ he adds, “in the process the artist loses out on the ‘contemplative time’, the period between the drawing and the painting. The process of thinking is physical and organic, and using a computer interferes with this. It is a short cut and all short cuts are a trap.’’

As a corollary to this, Sheikh says the challenge with this medium lies in knowing where to draw the line and not let the machine take over the mind. “Computer technology is very seductive. It can mislead you from your destination. Here, the medium affects the mind and may take over. I don’t want to leave the solutions to the machine. A computer is a means, not an end in itself.’’

—Sheikh’s digital works will be on display along with other artists at the ABS Lanxess gallery in Vadodara from November 1 to November 12