Design Pataki Foundation to showcase Indian craft at Kyōto YouMe Triennale

The Design Pataki Foundation, an Indian non-profit organization focused on craft and sustainability, will present 'The Future Is Handmade' at the inaugural Kyōto YouMe Triennale in Kyoto, Japan. The curated exhibition of contemporary Indian art, design and craft will take place from October 9, 2026 to October 18, 2026.

Curated by Esha Gupta, founder of Design Pataki and the Design Pataki Foundation, the exhibition explores the relationship between material, memory, craftsmanship and contemporary design. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, India, under minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the showcase positions Indian creative practice within an international dialogue surrounding the future of artisanal production.

Indian craft on showcase in Japan

Hosted at the Jūshin Kaikan of Higashi Honganji-temple, the presentation features work across textiles, furniture, architecture, interiors and ceramics. The exhibition also creates a cross-cultural dialogue between India and Japan, examining how traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation coexist.

“The Future Is Handmade celebrates how Indian craft and design continue to evolve, connecting inherited knowledge with contemporary ideas and new ways of making,” said Gupta in a press release.

Line-up features five creative practitioners

The showcase brings together five design voices offering distinct perspectives on modern Indian production:

• Textile and furniture designer Sarita Handa draws on indigenous techniques and traditional craftsmanship to showcase India's material heritage;
• Japanese-Indian designer Bijin Davis explores material and sensory experience across objects, textiles and space; supported by Indian home textile brand Neytt Homes, the presentation combines contemporary design with natural-fibre craft traditions;
• Architect and interior designer Canna Patel, founder of Indian architectural firm HCP Interior Design, brings over 30 years of practice in spatial design; supported by Indian cement tile producer Bharat Floorings, the work examines the relationship between material and architectural landscape;
• Interior designer Ajay Arya, founder of Indian design studio A Square Designs, integrates contemporary design with family heirlooms and traditional materials; supported by Indian rug brand Cocoon Rugs, the presentation focuses on heritage within modern interiors;
• Ceramicist and writer Dheerna Matsubara, an artist of Indian origin based in Japan, works across clay, writing, drawing and photography to explore quiet relationships with raw materials.

The Kyōto YouMe Triennale brings together international artists across primary venues including Shosei-en Garden and Jūshin Kaikan, alongside satellite exhibitions throughout Kyoto.