Traditional Indian Craftsmanship Takes Center Stage at Mumbai Collectibles Exhibition
A distinguished gathering of forty-seven artists, comprising forty-one Indian and six international creators, presented over 200 handcrafted objects at the Objects of Desire exhibition in Mumbai's Ballard Estate on March 7-8.
The showcase, organized by travelling gallery SIKAO, demonstrated the enduring value of traditional craftsmanship in contemporary artistic expression. Co-founders Pinky Daga, a theatre practitioner, and her son Kabbier Daga, a multidisciplinary artist, curated this inaugural exhibition to celebrate the intersection of heritage and modern design.
Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Art
Among the featured artists, Shivaranjan from Karnataka exemplified the deep connection between traditional practices and artistic creation. Drawing from his nomadic shepherd heritage, he crafted sculptural objects using Deccani sheep wool in fifty-two earthen shades inspired by the Deccan plateau.
"Indian design is having its moment on a global scale," explained Pinky Daga. "There's no better time than now to showcase how our artists are embracing a global aesthetic while maintaining their cultural roots."
The exhibition featured works in clay, wool, stone, textiles, ceramics, metal and wood, with pricing deliberately set between ₹15,000 and ₹2 lakh to ensure accessibility for emerging collectors.
Notable Artistic Contributions
Bengaluru-based textile artist Pragati Mathur departed from her usual medium to create copper totems and metallic sculptures inspired by Hampi's ancient rock formations. Harshita Jamtani, recognized for her lighting designs, presented a collection of dolls crafted in her distinctive style.
Varanasi-based Tilfi, founded by Aditi Chand, Ujjwal Khanna and Udit Khanna, contributed pieces celebrating traditional motifs through hand-worked brass inspired by Indian mythology. The collective's approach treats craft as an archival preservation of cultural materials and techniques.
Australian ceramic artist Fliss Dodd brought international perspective through anthropomorphic forms created using traditional sgraffito carving techniques, demonstrating cross-cultural artistic dialogue.
International Recognition
Following the Mumbai exhibition, selected pieces will travel to Milan Design Week for the eleventh edition of Alcova, providing Indian artists with prestigious international exposure. The touring exhibition plans subsequent stops in Dubai, Doha and various Indian cities.
"It's a moment of pride to provide this platform to Indian artists," concluded Daga, emphasizing the gallery's commitment to promoting traditional craftsmanship on the global stage.
The exhibition represents a thoughtful approach to cultural preservation, positioning traditional Indian craftsmanship as both heritage practice and contemporary artistic expression worthy of international recognition.