For the Gonds in Chhattisgarh, the floral markings etched onto their bodies are not merely skin deep. The tattoos, which stem from a centuries-old tribal art form called Godna, are indelible marks they take to their graves. The art, however, struggles to live on. That's where New Delhi-based graphic designer Ishan Khosla comes in. His Typecraft Initiative aims to develop typefaces fashioned from the tribal crafts and art forms of India.
Till date Ishan has developed eight typefaces based on motifs ranging from embroidery from Kutch to Mithila paintings from Bihar. His latest—with Spanish type designer, Andreu Balius—reimagines the geometric Godna tattoos from Chhattisgarh (pictured) and Chittara floor drawings from Karnataka, executed by the women of these communities. “The goal of the initiative is to promote and contemporize crafts,” says Khosla.
His creations will now make their way to London. Check out the Bold exhibition at the London Design Festival from September 16 to 24.
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