Vahe Ensemble by Vaishnavi Walvekar

With a strong sentiment towards indigenous craftsmanship, Vaishnavi Walvekar’s re-interpretation of the craft came about her own discerning nature. She followed her pursuit in crafts with a nomadic quest from travelling to craft-rich places such as Jaipur, New Delhi, and Kashmir. Vahe is the manifestation of this journey– an ode to the innovations of yesterday.

Each ensemble focuses on the chosen raw material exposing its beauty and complexity with compelling textures and hand-sculpting techniques.. The outcome envisions a range of pieces that fill a frame– from sculptural to functional art. Bearing the mark of its materiality, the first ensemble draws its name from the coordinates of Srinagar, Kashmir 34° N, 74°E where the craft originates. A series of hand-sculpted objects and luminaires constructed from paper infused with brutalism. Old world crafts meet modern abstractions.

"Capturing the moods of paper-smooth, crumpled, creased, crushed, stained…almost as if it were showcasing its own life stages.."