Black Magic

One Of A Kind aims to promote traditional crafts and facilitate collaborations between contemporary designers and traditional artisans. Other designers are Ritu Varuni,Tavishi and Tanveen Ratti have worked with artisans who carve wooden blocks used for block printing,or experts in glass and metal art. “The Bidri ware craftsmen at the Surajkund mela had a few products,and I felt that their work is static and needs more input and encouragement so that it does not fade away,” says the artist. The process of creating Bidri ware is complex,with the basic material being an alloy of zinc and copper. Pure silver wires and sheets are inlaid into engraved designs. After the silver inlay work is done,the item is filed,polished,buffed,and then oxidised. The oxidant is a type of earth that comes from the fort at Bidar.

“The alloy surface of the artefact becomes jet black but the silver remains unaffected,” says Malik,as he displays lamps and sculptures inspired by the form of an egg and lotus.

A striking work is a lamp that uses copper strips and opens like a flower and uses glass bangles for a compact look. “My inspiration comes from landscapes and natural forms and I like giving my work a three-dimensional property,” he says. Malik has also collaborated with Thileep Kumar,a sculptor from Mahabalipuram to create sculptures inspired by nature. Using green stone,which is soft and found in Andhra Pradesh,Kumar has created intricate sculptures of Shiva and Ganesha among others.

One of a Kind: A Group Design Show will be held at India Habitat Centre,Delhi,from March 11-14. The exhibition will travel to Chandigarh soon

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