This Mumbai gallery creates antiques of the future

Founded by Tarini Jindal Handa in 2022, æquō is India’s first collectible design gallery that connects global creatives with the country’s craft heritage. The aim is to develop new perspectives and unique design languages. Thanks to the efforts of creative director Florence Louisy, the experimental project in Mumbai is trying to reshape the relationship between the makers, designers, and materials. 

In Latin, the word æquō means equally. Living up to its meaning, the gallery gives equal weightage to the designer as well as the technique. In this grand design adventure, æquō creates unique collectible objects that pay respect to tradition—the antiques of the future. Each of them carries a story rooted in India, yearning to be told to the world at large. The design gallery thoughtfully develops furniture and interior objects that put the spotlight on the intersection between the makers, the designers, and the material. It invites global minds who revisit Indian craft heritage through æquō’s extensive network of artisans. 

An innovative perspective

Indian craftsmanship traces its origins to Vishvakarma, the lord of various arts, master of a thousand trades, architect, and divine designer. This mythological back story instils a sense of pride in every artisan who pass on the knowledge of their craft to the next generation. Each craft is a fertile ground for creativity in which utility, beauty, and joy intertwine organically. However, when we hear the words “Indian craftsmanship”, we often think of cliched images—the painted puppets of Rajasthan or the flower garlands of Tamil Nadu. 

In 2019, Handa and Louisy met in Paris and the two discussed about the dearth of innovative design platforms in India and the importance of preserving and promoting the country’s artisanal heritage. This is where the idea of æquō was born—an innovative space that would blend the creativity of designers exploring new techniques and materials with India’s rich ancestral craftsmanship. Designed by  French architect Ivan Oddos in a former colonial building in Colaba, the gallery was inaugurated in January 2022. 

 

A hub of cultural exchange

Over the years, æquō has evolved into a hub of cultural exchange—where international creators immerse themselves in deeply rooted local crafts of India.The gallery also functions as a furniture editing house. Furniture exhibitions are often hosted in a spacious showroom. Designed as a modular space, the office transforms into a dining area that encourages creative and informal gatherings. Two large showrooms give a stunning view of the bustling streets of Mumbai, soaking in the city’s vibrant culture. The gallery boasts an extensive network of artisans across the country. A hidden workshop at the back of this vast area accommodates artisans and enables real-time production of prototypes and samples, facilitating direct interactions with the gallery and its collaborators.

Know the founders

 

Handa is a patron of art and hails from a family of entrepreneurs. With æquō, she follows in the footsteps of her grandmother who created the Kanoria Centre of Arts—the first-ever artist’s residency in India—and her mother who founded the Art Magazine of India. Handa started her entrepreneurial journey in late 2000s with Muse, India’s first multi-brand fashion store, in Mumbai. However, her interest in cultural preservation, craftsmanship, and innovative design led her to change direction. Through æquō, she aims to promote economic and social development for artisans in India. 

Louisy is a French designer who graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands. With a strong sensitivity for craftsmanship and its origins, she approaches collectible design as a method to achieve unique pieces. Today, she divides her time between Paris and Mumbai. She curates creative collaborations as she continues in her path of collectible design.

Lead image: The æquō showroom

All images: Courtesy the brand 

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