Objects of Desire from SIKAO, a nomadic gallery

Is determination inactive an invisible enactment wherever accepted crafts blend into art, and artisans go artists? For Shivaranjan, a Karnataka-based artist, his nomadic shepherd roots person fixed him some the mean and muse. Working with an earthy palette of 52 shades inspired by the Deccan plateau, helium crafts sculptural objects from Deccani sheep wool, drafting connected his experiences arsenic a herder. Shivaranjan is 1 of 47 artists displaying his enactment astatine a curated accumulation of collectibles, Objects of Desire, connected March 7-8 astatine Ballard Estate successful Mumbai.

The two-day showcase, by travelling assemblage SIKAO (meaning quiescent contemplation oregon infinitesimal of reflection successful Mandarin), is simply a meaningful archetypal measurement for co-founders Pinky Daga, a theatre practitioner, and her lad Kabbier Daga, a multidisciplinary creator moving crossed sound, movie and sculpture.

Forty-one Indian and six planetary artists person created implicit 200 objets d’art in clay, wool, stone, textiles, ceramics, metallic and wood. This material-rich, narrative-led, artist-centric repertoire positions collectible plan arsenic a creator of taste artefacts, resisting the commodification of modern aesthetics. 

Mumbai has been the epicentre of this movement, showcasing Neo-Deco collectibles astatine India Design ID 2025 and the stylised Art Deco Alive exhibits (November 2025), which brought textiles, furniture, and Deco-era collectibles to the seaside city.

Debut showcase

Pinky is excited for her archetypal show, arsenic she opens up her bosom and creation to her coastal hometown. “Indian plan is having its infinitesimal connected a planetary scale, truthful there’s nary amended clip than present to showcase however our artists are embracing a planetary aesthetic,” she says. “We person a corporate of some established and budding artists who person created exceptional pieces exclusively for us.” To support the artwork wrong the scope of young collectors, the pricing ranges from ₹15,000 to ₹2 lakh, “depending connected the man-hours required and the intricacy of the artform”, adds Pinky.

Each portion tells a communicative of provenance and process. Bengaluru-based textile creator Pragati Mathur, whose oeuvre includes textile creation from divers yarns, has created “a copper totem rod and a sculptural metallic ode to Hampi rocks, truly going retired of her comfortableness portion to manner thing genuinely exceptional”.

“Then there’s Harshita Jamtani, known for her lights, but she has imagined a postulation of dolls for america successful her signature style,” explains the founder.

She adds, “Shivaranjan is simply a fantastic creator from Karnataka who tends his flocks successful the fields portion utilizing the colours and traditions of the Deccan plateau. We had archetypal conversations with him successful 2025 and iterated AI models truthful helium could render the entity successful his materiality.”

Aaryaa Velani and Jeswant G. bring successful 2 pieces crafted successful ceramic, wood and fibre, created during their residency astatine Hampi Art Labs, Bellary, successful collaboration with artisans from the Sandur Collective. The pieces, portion evoking mundane objects, are sculptural and correspond evolving creator traditions successful much modern forms.

Tilfi, founded successful Varanasi (by Aditi Chand, Ujjwal Khanna and Udit Khanna), celebrates trade arsenic an archival postulation of motifs and materials, presenting pieces inspired by mythology and crafted successful hand-worked brass. Ahmedabad-based Rutva Joshi takes up projects pairing painting, mural and sculpture and has created a terracotta-hued sculptural collectible.

Other works

Other notable pieces spotlighted by the curator see sculptural ceramic works by Ganesh Burud, an alumnus of the JJ School of Art who uses the mean to research themes of chaos and the aesthetic connection of cubism.

Australian ceramic creator Fliss Dodd brings her mentation of anthropomorphic forms done culture, ritual and storytelling, utilizing sgraffito carving (layering gaffe oregon underglaze connected clay and carving done it to uncover the aboveground underneath).

“My squad of artisans astatine Pyramid Valley (a wellness centre acceptable up by Pinky successful Bengaluru) person besides created bespoke rammed world sculptural pieces,” says the founder. Ahmedabad-based studio, Length Breadth Height, presents furnishings from earthy basalt chromatic and marble, complemented by Deetee Homes’ luxury planters, redefining biophilic inspiration done architectural design. Mumbai-based Shailesh Rajput Studio presents sculptural metallic fixtures alongside Mugen Home’s collectibles carved from alabaster and metal, creating an iridescent mineral glow. 

From Mumbai to Milan

In this eclectic curation, each portion has been intentionally created with galore iterations since July 2025. Everything connected show is exclusive to SIKAO and not disposable with the creator oregon their studios. After the exhibition, a fewer chosen collectibles volition question to Italy for the 11th variation of Alcova during Milan Design Week. “It’s a infinitesimal of pridefulness to supply this level to Indian artists. We would past similar to adjacent the twelvemonth with stops astatine Dubai, Doha and a fewer Indian cities disconnected the beaten track,” concludes Pinky.  

‘Objects of Desire’ is connected presumption March 7–8, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. astatine IF.BE Ballard Estate

The freelance writer is based successful Chennai.