The India Design Fund, an initiative by leading designers and architects, will host its first online sale of art and design objects to raise funds for the members of the design, construction and craft industries impacted by COVID-19.
Scheduled from May 14 to 20, the sale OTLO in collaboration with StoryLtd by Saffronart, will bring together artworks by over 65 leading design minds and practices. Curated by Architect Ashiesh Shah, the sale will feature furniture, design objects, soft furnishings, home accessories, artworks, lighting, serve ware, stationery.
Each artwork has been shortlisted by founding members and panellists of the India Design Fund – Shimul Javeri Kadri (Founder, SJK Architects), Vinita  Chaitanya (Interior Designer, Vinita Chaitanya Designs), Tarini Jindal Handa (Managing Director of JSW Realty), Pavitra Rajaram, (Creative Director at Pavitra Rajaram Design), Iram Sultan (Founder and Architect of Iram Sultan Design Studio), Ashiesh Shah (Architect and Founder, Ashiesh Shah Design Studio) and PR consultant Pareina Thapar (Co-Founder, Longform India).
Read: How Ashiesh Shah thought of creating The India Design Fund
The Fund brings together powerful voices from within the industry committed to support, advocate and collaborate for the transformation of lives, livelihood in design. “We recognize that not only must we support the disenfranchised among us in times of critical need; we must also be advocates for better, safer lives, entrepreneurial growth, and environmentally sound practices,” stated the founders in a press release.
The objects up for sale include a Set of 9 Line Drawings on Ceramic Plates With 24-karat Gold Borders by Dashrath Patel Foundation, Alibag (given by Mr. Pinakin Patel) as well as dinner plates from the Sabyasachi x Thomas Goode collection. Art lovers can also bid for Holi by Pichvai Tradition & Beyond, Backgammon in Hand-painted Turquoise by Trunks Company, Jaipur, marble inlay plates by Rooshad Shroff, Eagle Totem by Klove Design Studio and The Cava Carpet by Design Studio Mishcat & Co.
“Saffronart is pleased to collaborate with The India Design Fund, a timely initiative aimed at supporting people whose livelihoods have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The power of art in bringing people together was demonstrated in our recent fundraiser auction that raised Rs 66 lakhs to aid three non-profit organizations. By lending our platform to TIDF for this endeavour, we hope to continue to find ways to give back to our society,” says Minal Vazirani, President & Co-Founder, Saffronart.
Proceeds from the sale and from donations will go to NGO of United Way Mumbai – Fight Against Covid 19, along with patron donations also allocated towards those organisations mobilising relief to craft communities such as Dastkar Artisan Fund among others.
The India Design Fund, furthermore, hopes to tackle challenges within the design community, one step at a time and continue to stand as a strong voice for sustainability, improvement of life and safety standards, promoting indigenous craft practices and design in a post-COVID-19 world.
They are also open to welcoming design and corporate patrons. Asian Paints is the first corporate patron to donate Rs25 lakh to the fund.
