“Memory and continuity stand at the centre of everything I do,” says designer Vikram Goyal. “In Rajasthan, beauty is woven into daily existence, whether in the carving of a door, the rhythm of a jaali or the patina of an old metal pot that carry the stories of time and touch.” These childhood influences inform his creative process, where even today, he says, he considers how light and shadow interact with various surfaces.
His eponymous studio debuted ‘A New Fable: The Soul Garden’, an immersive installation at this year’s Design Miami.Paris. The invite-only exhibition is set in the historic gardens of L’Hôtel de Maisons, the former home of fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld.
The Panchatantra, Goyal’s childhood fables, inspired his latest work. The Soul Garden reimagines them as a contemporary dialogue between art, design and ecology manifested in brass beings — The Gaja and Karabha (elephant and baby elephant), Kurma (tortoise), Vyaghra (tiger) and Nakra (crocodile).
“The Soul Garden draws from India’s deep reservoir of culture and literature, where animals are revered as divine beings with profound spiritual significance,” he explains. “The creature I most resonate with is the elephant,” for their wisdom and quiet strength. The memory of his father rescuing a baby elephant from the depths of the Uttarakhand woodlands also left a deep impression on his craft. Goyal was selected to contribute to ‘The Great Elephant Migration’, an international travelling fundraiser featuring 100 elephant sculptures.
On sculpting with brass, he explains, “I often say that brass holds memory, both of the craftsman’s hand and the designer’s vision.” According to him, it almost feels alive. “Over the years, I’ve realised that brass has a temperament. If you try to dominate it, it pushes back; if you approach it with care, it yields beautifully.”
Even when looking to the future, memory and continuity are at the centre of his work. “I believe the most meaningful work always lies ahead; the journey of an artist is to keep expanding one’s vocabulary while staying true to the core spirit of creation.” Now, with the close of ‘The Soul Garden’ exhibit, Goyal is on the hunt for another thread of history to weave back to life.
His eponymous studio debuted ‘A New Fable: The Soul Garden’, an immersive installation at this year’s Design Miami.Paris. The invite-only exhibition is set in the historic gardens of L’Hôtel de Maisons, the former home of fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld.
The Panchatantra, Goyal’s childhood fables, inspired his latest work. The Soul Garden reimagines them as a contemporary dialogue between art, design and ecology manifested in brass beings — The Gaja and Karabha (elephant and baby elephant), Kurma (tortoise), Vyaghra (tiger) and Nakra (crocodile).
“The Soul Garden draws from India’s deep reservoir of culture and literature, where animals are revered as divine beings with profound spiritual significance,” he explains. “The creature I most resonate with is the elephant,” for their wisdom and quiet strength. The memory of his father rescuing a baby elephant from the depths of the Uttarakhand woodlands also left a deep impression on his craft. Goyal was selected to contribute to ‘The Great Elephant Migration’, an international travelling fundraiser featuring 100 elephant sculptures.
Material Meaning
Every component of his work reflects his worship of memory, including the olfactory element. In Indian traditions, he says, animals are seen as sentient beings that often communicate through smell. He collaborated with Berlin-based olfactory artist Sissel Tolaas and said, “Together, we began exploring how smell makes the garden tangible and alive, reinforcing the emotional and ecological connection between humans and the natural world.”On sculpting with brass, he explains, “I often say that brass holds memory, both of the craftsman’s hand and the designer’s vision.” According to him, it almost feels alive. “Over the years, I’ve realised that brass has a temperament. If you try to dominate it, it pushes back; if you approach it with care, it yields beautifully.”
Even when looking to the future, memory and continuity are at the centre of his work. “I believe the most meaningful work always lies ahead; the journey of an artist is to keep expanding one’s vocabulary while staying true to the core spirit of creation.” Now, with the close of ‘The Soul Garden’ exhibit, Goyal is on the hunt for another thread of history to weave back to life.