With a strong sentiment towards indigenous craftsmanship, Vaishnavi Walvekar’s re-interpretation of the craft came about her own discerning nature. After her MFA in Industrial Design from San Francisco, she followed her pursuit in crafts with a nomadic quest– travelling to craft-rich places such as Jaipur, New Delhi, and Kashmir. Vahe is the manifestation of this journey– an ode to the innovations of yesterday. Vahe debuted it’s first papier- mâché collectible design ensemble at Salone Del Mobile in June 2022. Her collection bagged the Contemporary Craftsmanship Award by Design Pataki. Each ensemble focuses on the chosen raw material exposing its beauty and complexity with compelling textures and hand-sculpting techniques. The outcome envisions a range of pieces that fill a frame– from sculptural to functional art. A series of hand-sculpted objects and luminaires constructed from paper pulp, infused with brutalism.