Ashiesh Shah Explores Material Transformation – Mumbai-based designer, architect, and artist Ashiesh Shah will present a new solo exhibition at Carpenters Workshop Gallery, London, opening on June 11. Known for his multidisciplinary practice that bridges architecture, design, and art, Shah’s latest body of work marks a significant evolution in his creative trajectory.
Rooted in a deep engagement with materiality, the exhibition is anchored in copper—both as a medium and a conceptual framework. Drawing from the historical significance of the Copper Age as a period of transformation, Shah positions this collection as a pivotal moment in his own practice, describing it as one where “art becomes bracketless.” The works move beyond conventional distinctions between disciplines, embracing a more fluid and open-ended approach to making.
Central to the exhibition is Shah’s exploration of copper as a living material. Designed to respond to touch, air, and time, the surfaces are engineered through processes of weaving, structuring, and holding, allowing the material to naturally evolve. This emphasis on transfiguration reflects Shah’s ongoing interest in temporality and the quiet agency of materials.
Shah’s practice has long been informed by Indian craft traditions, which he reinterprets through a contemporary visual and sculptural language. His work is characterized by restraint, simplicity, and a focus on revealing the inherent qualities of materials. Over the years, he has been recognized as one of Architectural Digest’s Top 50 Interior Designers in India (2014–2016) and was named Elle Decor India’s Designer of the Year in 2016.
With this exhibition, Shah continues to expand the boundaries of his practice, offering a meditation on transformation that is at once historical, material, and deeply personal. The presentation at Carpenters Workshop Gallery signals an important moment not only for the artist but also for the broader discourse around material-led contemporary design. Learn more with Abirpothi.
Cover image: BRAHMAND CABINET | Image courtesy of Ashiesh Shah
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
