The Soul Garden

The Soul Garden draws from India’s deep reservoir of culture and literature, where animals are revered as divine beings with profound spiritual significance. This reverence has guided their protection and veneration over centuries. Some appear as sacred vehicles; others wander through the fables of the Panchatantra, teaching parables of virtue and folly.

In The Soul Garden, each animal is chosen for the depth of its symbolic weight, embodying virtues and stories that span generations: the Tiger (Vyaghra) as power, stealth and protection, the Elephant and the Baby Elephant (Gaja and Karabha) as wisdom, memory and communication, the Tortoise (Kurma) as endurance, patience and cosmic time, the Crocodile (Nakra) as strength, adaptability and primal force. Each transcends form to become a vessel of spirit — a personification of belief.

Scaled with care to inhabit interiors gracefully, the animals stand as manifestations of character and narrative — appearing as sculptural consoles, seating, or tables. The collection is rooted in the lineage of Indian sculptural tradition, enriched by the studio’s signature use of repoussé and metalwork. At the same time, it nods to the great animaliers of the early twentieth century — François-Xavier Lalanne, Rembrandt Bugatti, Ferdinand Parpan  — creating a dialogue between traditions across time and place.

Each limited-edition sculpture emerges from an exacting process: wooden maquettes evolve into sheet metal, refined through the studio’s signature art of Hollowed Joinery. Patinated surfaces suggest the passage of time, bridging ancient tradition with contemporary form. Within these layers of inheritance, hidden repoussé panels reveal scenes and morals that unfold only to the attentive eye.

The Soul Garden ultimately asks us to see beyond sculpture — to recognize in each animal a keeper of wisdom, a vessel of memory, and a guide into the deeper currents of human imagination. In honoring them, we honor not only India’s cultural lineage but also the timeless conversation between nature, craft, and spirit.