The NGV Women in Design Commission, a major five-year initiative, invites internationally renowned female designers to create new work for the NGV Collection. Doshi’s contribution, titled A Room of My Own, will be unveiled on September 25th, 2025 at NGV International in Melbourne and will become a permanent part of the gallery’s collection.
A Room of My Own is a handcrafted, multidimensional cabinet that merges function with personal history. Inspired by traditional Indian Kavad shrines, the piece serves as both a shrine and a dressing table, embodying themes of ritual and self-care. The cabinet features abstract portraits of influential women from Doshi’s life, including a 1970s Indian actress, a neighbourhood matriarch and a nurse who cared for her in a time of need. When opened, the doors reveal these portraits, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the designer’s world.
“I am truly honoured to be the recipient of this very prestigious and generous award, and see it as an opportunity to create exceptional new work, bringing together all the different aspects of my design practice,” says Doshi. “The creative freedom offered by the commission allows me to make work with a strong narrative, resulting in a collectible piece that embodies my values as a woman in design.”
Doshi’s work is known for its synthesis of cultural influences and design narratives. Her practice incorporates elements from Indian pigments and textiles, the architecture of Le Corbusier and traditional Indian jewellery. As co-founder of Doshi Levien, she has collaborated with major design brands and institutions, and her work has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Art Institute of Chicago and MoMA in New York.
To celebrate Doshi’s commission, NGV and MECCA will host a free public event on International Women’s Day on March 8th. The event will include a talk with Doshi in the Great Hall at 11am, followed by a live Q&A session moderated by NGV’s Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture at 1:30pm. Visitors can also participate in an interactive workshop where they will design hand-printed silk scarves using abstract shapes created by Doshi. The day’s program will feature a panel discussion on the popularity of design, DJ performances, and refreshments.
Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV, comments: “We are delighted to announce Nipa Doshi as the latest recipient of the MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission. Nipa is a leading figure of global design – and it’s a true privilege to be collaborating with her on this new and ambitious work especially for the NGV Collection. We are incredibly grateful to MECCA for their support of this design series which provides a vital platform to profile the work of women in design.”
The MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission is the largest cultural commitment by MECCA in Australia. The initiative, aligned with MECCA’s M-POWER social change program, aims to support gender equality in the arts by highlighting the contributions of female designers. Over five years, the commissioned works will culminate in a major exhibition celebrating the impact of women in design.
Jo Horgan AM, Founder & Co-CEO MECCA, adds: “Nipa Doshi is one of the global leaders in design for a reason: she challenges established norms and ensures her cultural identity is infused into everything she does. More than that, her products, design and detail keep us all focused on the value of women’s voices, experiences and craftsmanship. It’s what we do at MECCA every day – celebrating beauty in all its forms, and recognising the value of beauty in shaping the stories and histories of women.”
