Whispers of the Wild — Set of 3

The first piece shows two deer standing together — a larger one with pink-tipped antlers and a fawn tucked beneath, a bird perched on the back. The entire body is covered in a single repeating wave-scale pattern with small blue and orange dots placed at each junction. The consistency is striking — every scale is near-identical in size and spacing. This piece is by Pooja Uikey, known among Gond artisans as a pen master for her control and precision with rotring work.

The second is a deer curled beneath a tree, birds sitting in the branches and one hovering close to its face. The body is filled with wave patterns in ink, with red accents on the face, legs, and underbelly. The tree arches over the animal, creating a sheltered, enclosed composition. Leaves are individually lined, each one detailed separately.

The third is the most unexpected — an elephant’s trunk curls around a leopard in a close, almost protective embrace. The elephant’s head is large and round, filled with dense stippled texture, with a single yellow-highlighted eye. The leopard’s body is covered in a diamond crosshatch pattern, different from the elephant’s surface. The two animals occupy the full canvas, pressed together, no background, no ground — just the two of them.

Santosh Uikey and Pooja Uikey (Pen Master)’s work is recognised among fellow Gond artists for its exceptionally fine linework, referred to as baarik kaam — fine, precise, consistent penwork. Where some artists vary their patterns loosely across a piece, Santosh and Pooja maintain an almost mechanical evenness, which at this small scale is entirely done by hand. The colour is minimal — a yellow eye here, some orange dots there, pink on a set of antlers — just enough to guide the eye without competing with the ink.

In Gond tradition, animals sharing space in a composition reflects coexistence — the forest as a single connected system rather than a collection of separate creatures.

Styling Display all three together on a study wall or in a row along a shelf. The vertical format and shared ink-dominant palette tie them together as a set. Simple dark frames with a white mount work best.

Art form: Gond Medium: Rotring pen (ink) and acrylic on canvas Canvas size: 8 × 6 inches (each) Set: 3 pieces Artist: Santosh Uikey & Pooja Uikey Origin: Madhya Pradesh, India

Care: Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture. Glass framing is recommended to protect the detailing and extend the life of the piece.

FAQs Is this an original artwork? Yes — hand-drawn original, signed by the artist. Not a print or reproduction. Will my set look exactly like the photos? Same compositions and style, but minor variations in detail are what make each piece a one-off. Can I buy them individually? This is sold as a set of 3. The pieces are designed to sit together.

£85 for the Set