The limited-edition sink ‘Quila’ is adorned with an intricate painting that Jai Prakash has created exclusively for Kohler. Here, art blends seamlessly with utility, rendering a functional object that effortlessly doubles up as a work of art
A piece of art, ‘Quila’ will singlehandedly elevate the aesthetic quotient of the bath space it is integrated into, narrating stories of the glorious Rajput past through evocative visuals and bringing forth the charm of Rajasthan.
“India probably has the widest tradition of art and craft, so we thought it was time to really now invest behind paying homage to Indian traditions. The Quila is a beautiful product, one-of-a-kind, and certainly very different from what people expect to see in a bathroom,” says Salil Sadanandan, President, Kohler, South Asia, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Since the start, Kohler delved into an in-depth process, which included conducting a 10-day workshop with leading folk artists of India. A detailed brief was given to each artist, culminating in this collaboration with the Padma Shri artist and the choice to go with the traditional art form of miniature paintings. The team initially drew upon India's diverse heritage of painting, textile, architecture, and embroidery styles to develop the concept, which was eventually realised by Jai Prakash through his evocative illustration of the glorious past of the Rajputs. He himself drew inspiration from the miniature styles of Kota (Rajasthan) and Kangra (Pahari) regions and his painting portrays the magnificent Rajput forts through playful activities of the royalty, and visible across the tamed and untamed landscapes are birds and animals enjoying the spring season. The visual narrative that unfolds captivates the viewer, compelling them to explore the various details depicted by the artist, which are made even more striking by the expressive forms and vibrant colours.
The artwork, which is essentially created on a two-dimensional medium, had to be carefully translated onto a three-dimensional object and this was achieved through an elaborate process, to create a bespoke functional element for your bath space. “We scanned these paintings and converted them into lithographs which were transferred on to the ceramic surface. It is all about craftsmanship and precision, without any automation” says Anand Asinkar, Lead Industrial designer - Kohler India Studio.
