object as language
‘Object As Language’ an exhibition with Tablescape by Eeshaan Kashyap, featuring functional handmade objects and sculptures in diverse materiality, forms, and finishes. The debut solo of Tablescape by Eeshaan Kashyap curated by Farah Siddiqui and Natasha Mehta and presented in Mumbai with the generous support and collaboration of JSW Paints.
What does an object say to you? Certain objects hold secrets and whisper them only to their user. Your favourite object can be an heirloom, or newly purchased, but it holds meaning for you. Similarly we are attempting to use shape, material, colour and their application to these pieces, to speak to each other as well as you. We wish to communicate through what we surround ourselves with. Design cannot always be put into words, but it does evoke an emotion.
The exhibition is divided into four parts which are in conversation with each other.
The objects in the exhibition are harnessing the raw energy of wood, golden brass, woven bamboo and smoked terracotta to explore the concept of tribal tableware. These earthy shades stand out, instead of blending in, through their unusual application of materiality.
This leads up to a more minimal and pure aesthetic that combines Gandhian philosophy with Japanese simplicity. Here wood fired pottery is layered with paper wall art and raku ceramic sculptures.
Shapes are explored further through geometric structures which are inorganic in nature, but familiar since we see these forms repeatedly in our daily lives. A sphere comes alive as a resin candle stand, while sand cast metal shapes form totem poles and embroidered borders are reimagined on modern shawls.
The last section shows Eeshaan’s love of dreaming in colour, especially blue along with other shades in the spectrums. Ceramic plates add a dash of brightness to your day, on top of block printed table linen.
These different environments suggest aspects of our diverse lives. The four spaces invigorate each other and eventually merge into one surreal creative experience.
gallery
objects
The play of patterns & materials. Hand spun khadi with abstract black brush strokes paired with an evenly aligned marble table top , marbled tableware and dancing resin candle stands.
These large ‘anagama fired’ jars are a pieces of admiration. These are hand built and have been glazed multiple times. The combination of these glazes with the wood ash forms unique textures and layers on each side of the jar.
Pottery is a collaboration between clay, fire and the artist. Unique functional objects make up a large portion of Objects as Language.
Splashes of glazes on a classic pottery forms creates dynamism and modernity. The contrast of colour and play of glazes on porcelain makes for fun composition.
These smoked vases smoulder with style. Handcrafted with artisanal sophistication, subconsciously informed by vernacular practice.
Sculptural Forms in Naked raku – These are inspired by organic shapes and the elegance of black and white pottery. These delicate shapes with fine embellishments add elegance and warmth to a space.
Smoked Red Terracotta modern matka. The complexity of the process and dramatic color combinations infused in this process result in these marvelous objects that take a moment to admire. Each pieces catches the smoke differently and the hues of charcoal add a lot of drama. These hand made modern matka are a special series with a limited pieces.
Pottery is a collaboration between clay, fire and the artist. Unique functional objects made up a large portion of Objects as Language.
Clay is the oldest known ceramic material. Prehistoric humans discovered the useful properties of clay and used it for making pottery. Honouring the need for timeless designs, the artist articulated the material into many ideas and forms.
A fascinating material full of potential, Eeshaan pairs clay with different material exploration to create multiple new formal conversations.
Broken by geometry. These semi circles can be stalked in different ways to form unusual forms. The idea was to break the circle and form it again using two half circles inspired by the moon jars.
Woven Japanese Metal Basket – Inspired by natural bamboo baskets, our handmade woven baskets are made with woven metal strips which are then shaped into organic forms. The handles are cast metal twigs to echo nature as found in the natural bamboo baskets.
The idea was to play around with the same colour in different patterns and layering. The marbling of the platter with the giant black spots makes it almost impossible to differentiate but also extremely exciting at the same time.
Material Matters – The uncontrolled – controlled flow of these glazes on the natural clay vase is a work of art. It is paired with broken pieces of marbles & semi precious stones that adds contrast of colour and lightness to the composition.