( 1 )Better interiors.cdr

Contents
MAY 2015
078
COVER STORY
A design process that supports
func onality and prac cality
rather than form, colour or
design and a dynamic architect
lara de rooij (of LMC A rchitects)
who is against using pricey
materials just for show... a
wonderful, fluid and airy
apartment in mumbai.
Cover photograph: Radhika Raj;
Courtesy LMC Architects
DESIGN BYTES
Set in Motion
Ar st Gayatri Sekhri leaves behind
a career in law to pick upsculp ng
tools and brushes and establish
her own studio pomegranate
design. An example of beauty,
grace and great cra smansship,
her sculptures are here to inspire
anyone who encounters them.
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060
A Piece of Nature
Greatly inspired by nature,
furniture designer Aakriti
Kumar's gorgeous products at
Differniture are a perfect union
of sculptural aesthetics and
functional efficiency.
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046
Everyday Inspiration
Crafty Tales
Product designer Valerie
Barkowski has the gift to turn
ordinary objects into pieces
that are most suitable for
contemporary decor. Her
on-going project for No-Mad
in Mumbai is an apt example
of her creativity
An unconven onal career
path and the vision to make
a difference makes Designer
Dakshyani Gowda's cra
and her organiza on
sanchali's joueney truly
excep onal and one to be
inspired by.
CENTRESTAGE
Daily Graphic
With a penchant for turning
kitsch in to entertaining and
vibrant designs for hospitality
spaces and creating
innovative wedding invites...
graphic designer chetana vij
Sharma's work has a modern,
fun vibe
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078
Design that work
With a design philosophy where
func on scores substan ally
higher than form, Lara de Rooij
of LMC Architects designs a
lovely light-filled and airy
apartment in Mumbai for a
middle-aged couple.
{DesignBytes} Art Walk
Set in Motion
Hanging up her court dress, ar st Gayatri Sekhri instead picks up sculp ng tools and brushes
to establish own studio pomegranate Design. Striking and beau ful,
her works is bound to inspire anyone who encounters them.
TEXT: ALIFIYA MEHAMDABADWALA; PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY POMEGRANATE DESIGN
ABOVE This wall- mounted
sculpture called climbing Men
depicts gents hard at woek crea ng
a stunning visual impact.
LEFT The beau ful pegasus
showcases a pure white body with
detailed anatomy in grey along with
glimmering wings.
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LEFT Named Reaching Out, this
three-dimensional figurine is made
of aluminium and fiber. It evokes the
feeling of being free and reaching out
for life with both hands.
BELOW Beautiful and graceful, the
dancre is in perfect harmony with her
surrounddings and is rejoicing in her art.
ARTIST
Gayatri Sekhri
ry as we might, we always end up
where we're supposed to. that
crea ve call can come to anyone
at any me... and if you heed your
inner voice and follow your heart,
life takes a 360-degree turn. something
similar happened to the very talented and
charisma c sculptor and entrepreneur
Gayatri Sekhri.Having finished her schooling
from the convent of jesus and mary,New
Delhi, Gayatri went on to study law at the
Durham university,England.Later,she
Worked as an advocate in Delhi and
singapore for there years. But it wasn't long
a er that she had a crea ve epiphany and
was drawn to the aesthe cs.
Her job seemed mundane and she decided to
follow her dream to become an ar st.
"I wanted to create a line of sculptures which
was not only decora ve but also relatable to
everyone, in terms of the strong message that
each piece communicates.... as each piece
pertains to something spiritual and powerful,"
she asserts. There was a burning need in her
to strike a perfect balance between art and
architecture.According to Gayatri, there was
a huge gap in the market for aesthe cal and
tasteful home decor and the prices that were
being quoted.
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Art Walk
TOP A mixed - media artwork called
The Great Escape is symmolic
of endings and signifies the
culmina on of a cycle and the
beginning of a new phase
ABOVE Another mixed - media
artwork by the ar st is called where
the Stars S ll Shine.... With a fairytale
quality, the artwork signifies a
posi ve outlook during the most
trying mes.
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Pomegrante Design, her crea ve studio was
thus born in 2014, giving frui on to her
wxpression of thoughts and crea vity. The
designer immersed herself in crea ng
sculptures that were inspired by mo on. Each
crea on responds to or directly depicts
movement in various ways-through dance,
gesture, transporta on, sports,etc.Men and
Women in embrance, Women dancing and
horses flying are some of the visuals one
would encounter.
Gayatri uses bronze, aluminium,fiberglass and
other alloys to make her wonder- which are
available in a variety of sizes and finishes. the
process of making the sculptures first involves
crea ng figures in clay and making a replica in
wax. Then there comes the detailing and
finishing of the modal. This is followed by
cas ng the figure in fiber or metal. since each
crea on is handcra ed, no two are alike or
have a similar composi on and are thus truly
unique. Her first collection is a selection of
beautiful life-size sculptures for large spaces.
climbing Men, an iconic piece (made of fiber
and finished with patina) comprised gents
climbing ropes. Adding a sense of motion and
uniqua artistic visual to any spac, this one is
symbolic of the strenght that man requires
to overcome obstacles in life. then there's
Reaching Out, a free-standing fiber glass
and steel sculpture which is evocative of
going beyond the periphery and conquering
the from he collection is pegasus yhat
portrays the free spiritedness of the heavenly
Greek creature.
Apart from designing a range every few
months,Gayatri also works on customizing
site-specific pieces for special floor plans.
These handmade sculptures and accent pieces
are a great way to bringn a dramatic focal point
to a room. then there are the mixed media.
Art Walk
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT THE Experience
of a Book sculpture(made of fiber) is an ode to
all those who cherish books.
The sculpture Valen ne - true to its name
- shows the kinship, desire and freedom two
individuals feel when in loov.
The Tree of life (sculptured out of aluminium and
fiber) is a perfect example of the amalgam of
different shapes and elements from nature.
artworks from her ki y...colourful and bright,
one can see recurring glimpses of horses,
elephants, hot -air balloon, bu erflies and
airplanes here.
To get your own Gayatri artwork,you'd have to
get in touch with S&G Arts, an art promoter that
is helping the budding sculptor in crea ng
awareness and visibility for her work.the
ar st's studio promoter her sculptures and
caters to architecture, interiors, art decor and
event decor needs as well.As for future plans,
the ul mate vision is to diversify the mul desciplined design prac ce by providing a full
range of service including architecture,
construc on, interiors, art decor, and
event decor.
Some mes it's ok to not go according to the
plan. A li le faith in yourself can carry you
throught to the end. Take Gayatri as an
example... this mul -talented, inspira onal
visionary has carved a niche in this extremely
compe ve industry,and so can you if you
heed your call. BI
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