It is no magic to control clay on the agitated wheel and spin a decorative piece. Eram Agha meets the artists gearing up for Earth Song, a show of ceramics and terracotta
Once upon a time pottery was not treated at par with other experimental, creative and beautiful artforms because of its functional creations like pots, mugs and plates. Studio pottery changed the way we look at the clay work today; it is considered at par with sculpting and other art forms which involve dexterity, unpredictability and thought process like any creative pursuit — its poetry in clay.
Introducing the art lovers to the next level of studio pottery are four artists who will be showcasing their works in pottery, ceramics and terracotta at the Art Junction, The lalit from December 3.
Artist Preeti Thakur Pandey will be showcasing her work that is a diversion from functional ware.“Tea pots are not about holding the brew and pouring it in cups. Kettles are such pretty structures and can be worked on artistically for decorative purposes. Use of fish dominates my works because I believe in the rhythm of movement, and pottery is all about that,” she said.
Accompanying her in the show is her colleague Rajesh Kumar Srivastava at the Delhi Blue pottery where the two teach aspiring studio potters this art form.
His studio is abuzz with activity as he gears up for the exhibition where he will showcase the confluence of past and present, traditional and contemporary through his version of Urlis, “Traditionally urlis are made of metal, I took artistic liberty and modernised them with the use ceramics and multi glazing technique,” said Srivastava.
For long Sudha Pillai, the former member secretary of Planning Commission, has been an example of perfect work-life balance. She constructively used her day-offs for learning the techniques of ceramic, she has worked on rice paper, silk and canvas. In this exhibition one will see her work on tiles. “I love working with ceramics, it involves all four elements earth, water and fire and air and brings one closer to nature and to the fact that man became civilised only when he learnt to bake bread and pottery,” she said.
Not long ago clay enthusiasts worked on manual foot operated wheels, but now there are efficient electric wheels, which, “extended the opportunities to senior citizens also,” Pandey added.
An old timer remembers working on manual wheel to be a task of patience, and says, “Our concentration was divided on the movement of hand and of the foot, we had to keep the speed in accordance to the body of work we chose.” Pandey is surprised to see the way people are rushing to her studio to get enrollment.
“Studio pottery is becoming the fastest growing hobby because the results of this art are unpredictable unlike commercial pottery where one uses moulds and produces in bulk for mass consumption,” she said. Adding to that Srivastava said, “Pottery is considered the advanced stage of meditation.” This is one reason why some of their students have taken it up as a therapy.
“Some students say that doctors had recommended this activity to them to heal their mind and soul,” she added.Pottery starts with learning the technique of centering, which involves the synchronisation of mind, body and soul, if your mind is off-centered, the clay will go that way too!
Stephen Kurtz a psychiatrist had said — Centering is the process by which we move from the agitated periphery of our lives to a silent interior space, that however empty it may appear will reveal itself as incredibly full. Don’t we all agreeIJ