EVOKE London and its sister gallery KAASH (Bangalore, India) present a new exhibition exploring the relationship between contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship. Titled Stephen Cox and Cross-Cultural Exchange with India, this collaboration showcases three distinct bodies of work, each reinterpreting indigenous craft – silver inlay, leatherwork and traditional painting – into modern sculptural and lighting forms, seamlessly applied to new materials.
The Royal Academician sculptor Stephen Cox collaborates with Bidri artisans from Bidar, reimagining the craft’s delicate silver inlay technique into a striking series of contemporary sculptures. Whilst designer Andrea Anastasio draws inspiration from South Indian leather puppetry, crafting luminous sculptures that transform the expressive nature of leather into dynamic lighting pieces. Finally, The Vayeda Brothers, Warli artists, bring their intricate storytelling to Corten steel (swapped from mud walls) for the first time, expanding the possibilities of this ancient painting tradition.
The artistic versatility of Bidri craft is showcased through three highlight works:
● TARA wall light by Andrea Anastasio – A refined illumination piece celebrating Bidri craftsmanship.
● TANMATRAS wall sculptures by Stephen Cox RA – Symbolising the five senses of the human body.
● BIDRI BOTTLE sculptures by Stephen Cox RA – Bidri figures, flowing with silver inlay patterns that subtly echo a pop cultural icon.
Sridhar Poddar, Founder of Evoke London and KAASH, said: ”We’re delighted to be debuting our Bangalore gallery KAASH’s work, showcasing interpretations of three indigenous Indian craft forms, with artists and designers from the UK, Italy and India. The collection reminds us of the Indian saying, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which translates to the world is one family”.
Through these three artistic lenses, the exhibition redefines tradition, merging heritage with innovation in striking and unexpected ways. This exhibition is part of a broader collaboration with Stephen Cox, which will also feature in the Royal Academy of Arts’Summer Exhibition later this year.
About KAASH
KAASH is a studio, gallery, and artist residency based in a restored 19th-century villa in Bengaluru. Founded by Sridhar Poddar in 2020, KAASH creates a dynamic space for dialogue between India’s craft traditions and contemporary design. Through exhibitions, residencies, talks, and workshops, KAASH collaborates with artists, designers, and craftspeople to explore material-led innovation grounded in heritage practices.
Each exhibition emerges from in-depth research, often reimagining traditional forms – such as Warli, Gond, Mandana, or Bidri – in new materials and scales. KAASH is known for its cross-disciplinary approach and commitment to fostering craft as a living, evolving practice. The space operates as a “living archive,”revealing the relevance and potential of centuries-old techniques in today’s design landscape.
Beyond preservation, KAASH supports craftspeople as creative and business partners, aiming to build sustainable practices and new audiences for collectible craft. Recent collaborations have been acquired by institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum.
About Stephen Cox
Stephen Cox is one of the most acclaimed British artists of his generation, best known for his monumental works in stone. His work is known worldwide with celebrated exhibitions including MOMA (New York) and the National Gallery and Tate Britain (London). Using traditional techniques, he has carved marble, alabaster and porphyry, and was the first artist for many centuries to gain access to the Imperial Porphyry Quarries in the Eastern Mountains of Egypt. His works are in many private and public collections around the world, with government and corporate commissions in India and Egypt as well as in Britain. He was elected a Royal Academician in 2006.
Stephen Cox and Cross-Cultural Exchange with India is open to the public at Evoke London, 27A Devonshire St, Marylebone, London W1G 6PN, Monday to Saturday 10.30am – 6.30pm.
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