Tikendra Sahu

Bangalore based Tikendra Sahu had sent in these absolutely gorgeous works. They are water colour paintings on embossed paper. Although Tikendra is a Graphic Designer by profession, he prefers to paint. In his works , he explores the relief quality of paper through embossing and plays with layers. He claims that most of his works have a sexual connotation which are very contextual in nature.

Gaurvi Sharma

Gaurvi had emailed me her collages and this is what she had to say about them,"My works are about day today experiences and are more like a story. I use paper cuttings from different magazines along with my own drawings. This passion for collages developed after I shifted to Tokyo. Japanese people have a habit of recycling almost everything and that very thing inspired me. Also, I cherish the pleasure of selecting, cutting and pasting images for my work. To me this whole process is like a therapy its so satisfying to achieve a wok of art from bits and pieces." Adorable !

The Doers

Stale News disposable Coasters

Bright Idea Magnets

The Doers are a mad motley group of designers based in Mumbai who design witty, socially & environmentally conscious products. While they make t-shirts and stickers and what not , it's their smArt products that caught my eye. They also have a dozen blogs , here's one.

Abhishek Singh

Anuj Sharma sent me the link to Abhishek's blog & I must say he creates the most magical illustrations. Go check it here.

Kara Weaves

Kara is a creative venture started by a group of women who felt the need to give the Kerala handloom industry a much-needed impetus. They work with independent teams of weavers across the state and small sets of rural tailors to create handmade home furnishings of the highest finish and quality.
The aesthetic of the textiles is a coming together of the local & contemporary to bring you luxurious , gossamer thin ecru cotton with ornamental threads woven into it used for their curtains and pillow covers. They also retail beautiful , super absorbent finely woven cotton towel material called thorthu. Check their website for more.

Anura Krishantha

I am absolutely loving these Illustrations by Sri Lankan artist Anura Krishantha. He explores the form of the chair through different mediums , conveying different messages. Images from here.

Dhruvi Acharya

Dhruvi Archarya is back , this time with an airless world inhabited by mutant people scavenging , hunting and gathering in what can only be called dystopia. A queasy , darker fantasy takes flight mirroring Acharya's own Asthma attacks and her fathers pulmonary afflictions. Her exhibition titled One Life on Earth is on till the end of the month at Chemould Prescott Road Gallery.

Brass Tacks

Brass Tacks is a brand of clothing designed by Chennai based Economics grad Anaka Narayanan . She uses traditional textile crafts and re-articulates them as modern, urban garments . The brand offers easy chic and comfort without compromising fit. Brass tacks is great for finding fuss free , luxuriously comfortable neutral pieces . Needless to say , they do great during Indian summers. Check out Anaka's blog to read about the process and how she sources her unique fabrics.

Mahmud Husain

Bold & blatantly colourful , Mahmud Husain's work is the sort that demands attention and a massive hunk of a wall to offset it's drama. I love the dream like events that unfold . So many different interpretations waiting to be made. The artist is showing at MonArt Gallerie , Kolkata till the 17th of this month.

Prashant Miranda

Prashant Miranda is beyond introductions at this point. I've featured his work more times than I care to recall . Here is another reminder of why exactly he is so loved here at MASALA CHAI. Enjoy.

Embellisher

Found this little gem on artnlight's blog. 'Embellisher' is a textile designer whose blog is full of these interesting fabric swatches that she (true to her name) embellishes with different stitches & embroidery . Sometimes they tell a story but most times they just look pretty. Visit her at A Million little Stitches.