Studio Indigene is the brainchild of two architects – Tanvi Deolekar & Shubham Mestry. They look at objects of varied scale and functionality, objects of decor and daily use. All the designs incline toward achieving clean lines and curves. The designs are minimalistic, with a keen experimentation of volumetric configuration and combining one or two materials with a base material, our favorite – wood.

Our designs are realised by the skillful handcrafting of our woodworkers, who are usually accustomed to traditional wood carving. They sit down with us to understand the designs we visualize. Together we devise techniques that utilise their skillset, at times challenge them even, to transfigure our designs on paper to objects in real life. The finishing of our products is also paid special attention to – the natural grain of the wood is retained. Each product is singular, in the most real sense, at our studio. The designs aspire to become the centre of attention in a space, while being versatile to fit into a variety of settings and design styles. The play of volume in the wooden forms, carved out in pleasing proportions, highlight the wooden grains along their planes. In the process of production, each piece is intently worked on, the crafting of wood, the assembly of all parts to make a whole – this is no less than creating a work of art. Each piece has a lasting impression on us as creators, and we hope that this translates into the user experience – for one’s hands to feel the beauty of what another ’s hands have created.

1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

We are both based in Mumbai, India – born and brought-up in this city.

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

Having studied Architecture, we were introduced to design, which is where our journey began.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

Yes, while we have never really taken up a job in the design field, we started Studio Indigene right after we graduated from Architecture school, and hence have been working ever since as the designers, studio and business runners, and everything that goes with it.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

As students of architecture, we were not only exposed to space-making and large-scale structures but also to the design and detailing of the smallest products. This part of the design was amusing and engaging to us – we realized the impact the smallest objects could make on their user and space. This is how we came about to explore product and furniture design. We wanted to explore how we could apply our education and design sensibilities to create objects of a varied scale and functionality. But this was not only limited to our desire to create, but to build a business based on products we created – we see the freedom to design for our brand as the ultimate gift we have given ourselves and hope to keep building Studio Indigene and to keep creating more works. 

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

We have an experience of 5 years now, which began right after we graduated and started the studio. As young designers, we often ponder upon the same question and realize that we are yet to come by a core philosophy. While we started on the journey of building a design studio with certain ideas, these ideas have now evolved or even changed. We like to think of ourselves as designers, not too rigid, willing to let our philosophies change with every learning and experience. As for our creative process, we simply sit down with a pencil and paper and sketch till we feel like we might have something worth turning into a piece in real life. 

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

A typical workday begins with packaging and dispatches, followed by meetings or calls with clients. Some days involve sitting down at the drawing boards, and some days involve spending hours and hours at the workshop with our artisans. We also work on our social media accounts ourselves, which involves photoshoots and generating creatives.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

We envision designs that correspond to the commonly recognized principles of design yet have a narrative that forms distinctive identities. These designs will stand the test of time and will have limitless lives. We often like to think of Indigene products as heirloom pieces, made with a passion of design and craftsmanship, a quiet but prized part of one’s possessions, waiting to be passed on – to this idea, wood corresponds perfectly in our minds. A wooden piece exudes an emotional quality, in its skilled making and in the attachment a user forms with the piece.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

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9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

While we feel artists must explore, find their mediums and keep creating, we would like to offer some advice. Firstly, one has to be patient for their work to be received and recognized. However this does not mean one should be passive – propagating and advertising your work actively must also be something a creator must undertake. Opportunities to keep making more works will come only if an artist/designer actively tries to reach out to the right audience.

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

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11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

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12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

Paul Matter, Ashiesh Shah, Ravi Vazirani

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

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14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Objects that aspire to form distinctive identities, in their simple structure and materiality.

Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)