Potters by the dozen!

A unique art exhibition by 12 Mumbai based potters was well appreciated in Mumbai
Recently, 12 Mumbai based ceramic artists came together for a unique exhibition of their works. The artists include Ajay Abhyankar, Devyani Smith, Harish Shah, Nilkanti Patekar, Nausheen Bari, Shalan Dere, Shayonti Salvi, Sultana Khan, Sumati Madhav, Tejashree Patil– Pradhan, Tejashri Sagavekar and Vanmala Jain.
Pottery has always been a part of our day-to-day life, be it the humble 'kulhad' to sip chai from or the 'surahi' to keep the water cool during summer.In this age of florescent plastics and silicon products, it is interesting to see how humble clay has been brought back to the kitchen and even into our living rooms, by the efforts of dedicated potters.
This was an opportunity to view and purchase this ancient craft in the modern context, as seen by these potters coming from diverse backgrounds. From working with different mediums, like terracotta, stoneware and porcelain to using different firing techniques from gas to wood to electric, these potters bring their different styles together to showcase some of the best handmade ceramics the city has to offer.
How do they do it?
All the clay is prepared by hand, right from pounding the different raw materials to sieving, slaking and drying. After the making of the clay, comes wedging and preparing the clay to be either thrown on the wheel, hand built or simply pinched out by the potter. The form created is then set to dry. The pots now go on to first firing called bisque or biscuit firing. Once bisqued, they are strong enough to be glazed by hand. Its final metamorphosis takes place at approximately 1200 degree celsius, resulting in a pot that is ready for use.
The exhibition saw tableware, cups and bowls, serving dishes and plates. Planters and vases, agarbatti stands and a variety of interesting products for your home, garden and work space. Also on display were sculptures and art objects for the discerning art lover.
About the artists:
1. Ajay Abhyankar - An IT professional whose tryst with pottery started 2 years ago. Under the guidance of Shalan Dere, him and his wife have made pottery their new profession. He has also completed a course with Saraswati in Auroville in miniature pottery.
2. Devyani Smith - Started her career as an executive in television production. After dealing with its many stresses, she decided to give it all up to pursue her true passion in ceramics. Having trained with Hanif Zakharia Galwani for 3 years in his Dharavi Studio, she has now set up her own brand 'Fired at Will'.
3. Harish Shah - Professionally an Architect, who after retirement chose to continue working on his creativity by setting out in clay. After attaining a Diploma in ceramics from the L. S. Raheja School of Art, he now runs his own studio in Mumbai.
4. Nilkanti Patekar - A self taught potter who has been creating pots for the past 3 years. She is also an actress and a producer of short marathi films which deal with socially relevant issues.
5. Nausheen Bari - A well established yoga teacher who decided to include ceramics in her sphere of consciousness. She trained at Golden Bridge Pottery under the famous Ray Meeker and went back for another 2 years as an artist in resident.
6. Shalan Dere - Having done her MBA from Bajaj Institute in marketing, and managing Small Scale Industry business for almost 30 years, Shalan pursued her love for clay by learning the ropes under Kishore Goradia and Sandeep Manchekar. She enhanced her skills through her own dedication to the craft. A self taught potter and now an eminent teacher of the craft, her studio in Mumbai is a haven for those wishing to delve into this world. Her inspirations stem from the relationship between humans and nature.
7. Shayonti Salvi - Being a ceramist is a testament to her love of nature and art. From her background in Interior Design, she found herself drawn to this medium for its use of all the five elements of nature. After dabbling with pottery for nearly 10 years, she has just completed her training at The Golden Bridge Pottery under Cory Brown and Ray Meeker, after having completed her Diploma in Ceramics from the L. S. Raheja School of Art.
8. Sultana Khan - Largely a self taught potter who has picked up skills from various parts of the globe, she manages her own studio in Mumbai. Her love for ceramics started 3 years ago having being introduced to it by her son.
9. Sumati Madhav - An interior designer who currently trains under Shalan Dere, she is relatively a new entrant in the field.
10. Tejashree Patil –Pradhan - After building a career in advertising, she trained under professor Parshuram Kumbhar and Sandeep Manchekar, she has been working out of her studio in mahalaxmi for the past 3 years.
11. Tejashri Sagavekar - After completing her BFA in Ceramics from J.J. Institute of Art, Tejashree went on to the Faculty of the Ceramic Department in L. S. Raheja School of Art for 2 years. She has just completed her training at Golden Bridge Pottery under the guidance of Cory brown and Ray Meeker. She wishes to continue her education in the field of ceramics.
12. Vanmala Jain - A product of the Ceramic department at NID, Ahmedabad. She then went to be part of the faculty at various institutions in Mumbai including, SNDT College, J.J. College or Art and IDC, IIT, Powai. Vanmala runs an NGO 'Kuprakabi' apart from her own studio work. She is an artist well known in the Mumbai circuit.