STRUCTURAL FEATURES: In the early-1960s, Gira Sarabhai, one of the founders of Ahmedabad’s National Institute of Design invited Japanese-American architect-woodworker George Nakashima to design furniture for the institute. Nakashima created detailed drawings, and in late-1964, spent time at NID. Out of his original 32 designs, NID retains 26, comprising chairs, tables, ottomans, benches, and daybeds. One of these would include the remodelled design of the Grass-Seated Chair, a strong yet light piece Nakashima first designed in 1945, a result of the weaving together of technology with the work of the craftsperson, thereby formulating his own idiom of modernism.

STYLISTIC FEATURES: The chair reflects traditional Japanese woodworking methods. The simple design reflects in its form – the backrest has finely structured stiles, complete with a curved, semi-circular cresting rail. The rectangular seat, woven using twine made out of natural grass, is supported by four slender, tapered legs comprising the ‘H’-shaped stretcher. The dowel construction work on the joints skirting the apron of the seat is deliberately made visible – an embodiment of Nakshima’s philosophy to expose and express structure in design.