PRIYANKA NARULA
Architect and Designer Priyanka Narula is quietly weaving wicker into the contemporary design fabric.
ALL OUR DESIGNS ARE CONSTANTLY PUSHING THE BOUNDARY OF COMPLEX WEAVING, AND THIS IS COMPLEMENTED BY SIMPLER DESIGN INTENT TOWARDS PRODUCT FUNCTIONALITY. THUS WE ARE ABLE TO GENERATE BEAUTIFUL FORMS IN SINGULAR MATERIALITY WHICH EVOKE A SENSE OF MINIMALISM”
Priyanka Narula, Founder, The Wicker Story and Prelab Design Studio, is synonymous with her stunning creations in wicker. For Narula it was about creating a symbiotic amalgamation of art, architecture and product in the precinct of craft and parametric design methodology. “The Wicker Story was a response to a prolonged quest to define the future of design in the Indian context,” says Narula. She’s equally inspired by the technology-driven approach to design of legends like Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid, and organic nature of the craft practices in India. “The duality left me conflicted initially, but over time the two aligned into our works at Wicker Story.”
Narula lets the material express itself in an unhindered manner. “All our designs are constantly pushing the boundary of complex weaving, and this is complemented by simpler design intent towards product functionality. Thus we are able to generate beautiful forms in singular materiality which evoke a sense of minimalism,” explains the designer.
Her most recent and most challenging project till date has been a ceiling installation for a hospitality project by Aamir & Hameeda. The result, a gorgeous structure crafted in wicker that meanders through the space almost organically. “We perceive our products as functional art. My dream is to have my pieces exhibited at top art galleries of the world like MOMA.”
“THE WICKER STORY WAS A RESPONSE TO A PROLONGED QUEST TO DEFINE THE FUTURE OF DESIGN IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT. WE PERCEIVE OUR PRODUCTS AS FUNCTIONAL ART. MY DREAM IS TO HAVE MY PIECES EXHIBITED AT TOP ART GALLERIES OF THE WORLD LIKE MOMA.”