Textual content by Shirin Mehta. Pictures by Anish Fnu. Styling by Sarah Rajkotwala. Artwork path by Aishwaryashree

Rajvi Mehta, 31
Textile Advisor and Potter
Bengaluru 

Why ceramics?
Working with tactile supplies has at all times introduced me pleasure. First it was textiles, so I spent 5 years on the Nationwide Institute of Design [NID], Ahmedabad, learning weaving, printing, dyeing, material manipulation, floor building, and many others. In 2014, I joined Wari Watai, Bangalore, as a senior textile designer. In the direction of the top of my four-year tenure, I did a venture utilizing stoneware with Minim Design. Working with clay once more and the fascinating modifications that it goes by means of from uncooked to totally fired, prompted me to try studio pottery.

I had the chance to be skilled as a studio potter beneath Ray Meeker and Deborah Smith at Golden Bridge Pottery in Pondicherry in 2019. I now seek the advice of as a textile designer, primarily within the dwelling linen area, and run a pottery studio, making purposeful ware.

What’s your strategy of creation, in bodily phrases?
I prefer to throw items, slightly than hand construct. I’m experimenting with creating a number of glazes of my very own, however largely use prepared ones. I attempted to make use of what was out there after I began my observe. It was a strategy of what you are able to do with what you will discover. Slowly, I see a mode rising that’s pushing me to experiment extra on this path – searching for native clay, uncooked supplies and many others.

I like faceting my items and am working in direction of including extra textures to my listing of visible remedies. Delicate glazes and easy however purposeful varieties are what I usually lean in direction of.

What evokes your shapes and silhouettes? Do you sketch these earlier than you begin or waft?
Numerous my inspiration comes from the issues that I noticed whereas I used to be studying. Typically, at a chai stall or retailer, I’d see one thing and suppose, Hey, I ought to attempt making this. I draw out the varieties in a guide, do a number of trials, and see what comes naturally to me after I throw multiples. The sketch turns into a place to begin, and a type develops as I maintain making an attempt the identical factor time and again. In the meanwhile, I’m actually having fun with throwing tumblers with huge bottoms.

What has the method of making from clay/mud been like for you?
At Pondicherry, I skilled the journey of an object, the sculpting of a cloth to make a type. I’m going again to this consistently, as it’s my level of reference, my first coaching. Fibres may be woven, felted, crocheted and handled to create textures. Clay may be malleable or inflexible in a similar way, and the parallels between them excite me. Paper, material and clay – all of them have such a wealthy function, historical past and shut relationship with the arms of the maker.

Did you at all times have a want to create, at the same time as a toddler?
I’ve realised that when I’m not engaged on consumer tasks in textiles or making pots, I are likely to spend time within the backyard – repotting, checking for bugs, including compost…. There are various “dwelling enchancment” tasks which are consistently within the pipeline – like making macrame hangers for pots or stitching new curtains! I suppose that additionally comes from watching mum round the home consistently fixing issues and enlisting our assist as children.

What function do artwork and design basically play in your life? Does your work faucet into childhood reminiscences in any approach?
My mum has been fairly an inspiration, together with my grandmum. They taught me at a really younger age to knit, crochet, paint, sew, embroider and customarily make issues alone. My dad made certain we travelled virtually yearly to some new metropolis or nation. There, we might go to museums, markets, roadside festivals. My mum would cease to see how an artisan was making his wares, at all times curious, asking many questions. I suppose her inquisitiveness made me pause and truly listen.

What would you usually put on once you work?
I put on essentially the most comfy on a regular basis garments like a mushy cotton T-shirt and a few stretchy pants, with a potter’s apron my mum stitched for me.

What’s your private fashion like exterior of labor? Does your artwork inform your fashion in any approach?
I suppose I’ve gotten very used to solely carrying garments that I really feel fully comfy in. The lockdown made it simpler to stay to this routine. So, you’ll largely discover me in lengthy skirts or easy cotton attire. Or pyjamas and T-shirts! Additionally, contemplating I work carefully with materials, I have a tendency to choose up totally different woven or printed cotton materials wherever I’m going, which I’ve stitched into easy silhouettes.

Is there any type of conventional Indian ceramic creation that you simply love? That you just achieve inspiration from?
One Diwali, I got here throughout a stunning wheel-thrown diya with a glass prime. I’ve tried to take that ahead and made my model of a tea mild holder. However general, I really feel the necessity to do much more analysis on the numerous conventional, historic types of pottery and sculpture.

Do you have got a favorite piece that you’ve got made? Why do you like it greater than others?
I attended a workshop the place a ceramicist from New Zealand, Elena Renker, confirmed us find out how to make pots utilizing the Kurinuki technique. A set of bowls I made then have fully modified my notion of what hand-building methods can obtain. They’re mild, however have a solidity to them, the distinction being merely lovely.

Do the items at all times prove the way in which you imagined?
Each kiln opening is a shock. And truthfully, at first look I by no means like every of my items. It takes me a while the place I sit with it, stare at it, transfer it round in several settings in the home, see it in several lights, after which it begins to develop on me.

What are you experimenting with in the intervening time?
I’m making an attempt to provide you with a workable clay physique utilizing damaged, fully-fired ceramic ware floor into powder. Fired ceramics don’t degrade in any respect. That’s the reason that we uncover pottery in archaeological websites. My long-term intention is to make use of as a lot native or recycled materials within the clay or glazes to scale back the consequences this course of has on the earth.

What are the feelings that feed your creativity?
I must be at peace with myself, physique and thoughts, to have the ability to create. It’s one of many causes I’ve taken up gardening, rising my very own meals, and yoga. I make my very own kombucha and maintain making an attempt issues to enhance general well being. For fairly a while, I didn’t take note of the indicators the place my physique and thoughts had been asking me to decelerate, be a bit light with them. However, nicely, it’s by no means too late!

Earlier: Puja Rao
Subsequent: Rekha Goyal