The pandemic brought with it a reset for the art world. It steered buyers towards collectables that engage the mind and not just the senses, and ushered in ceramic art as the perfect antidote to digital consumption. “I’ve discovered that clay is the most tactile medium for my thoughts. I respond best to the theme of space, be it the open sky or micro-cosmically, the inner spaces of my mind,” says Kolkata ceramicist Falguni Bhatt.
Despite its constant presence in the luxury circuit, artisanal ceramic has been largely overlooked in the contemporary collector’s sphere and in the commercial market. A crop of new wave artists from the city is shifting the perception on ceramics by making it adaptable and buyer-friendly. Be it functional wares, sculptural pieces or home art, these Kolkata ceramicists are offering the best artisanal pieces:
Juin Mayne
In early 2003, Juin found herself looking for a creative outlet as she left the world of textiles behind. Mayne, who was living in Delhi back then, decided to dip her toes into the world of pottery.
She trained under Mansimran and Mary Singh at the Andretta Pottery studio in Himachal Pradesh and works with white body clay stoneware.
The popularity of Mayne’s functional ceramics says a lot about Kolkatans’ preference for utility, even when it comes to keepsakes. One of her most unique designs is a clay base, embossed with leaves and flowers that she picks herself from the garden at her workshop.
“The base clay is called china clay to which minerals like silica are added. This wet clay needs to be kneaded well, the process is called wedging,” explains the artist, who also hand-sculpts many of her creations.
Juin supplies her products to various cafes in Kolkata (like Golpark’s First Flush) and also takes orders for customisation. “Reaching out to people has become so much easier now because of social media. I can post on Instagram and Facebook and people who are interested in my work, can order in and I ship them out,” says Mayne, who works out of a workshop in Mallikpur, Baruipur. She also hosts classes and workshops to share her love for the craft.
You can contact Juin Mayne at +91 98360 90077 or DM her on Instagram and Facebook to shop her creations.
Falguni Bhatt
Falguni Bhatt started working as a ceramic artist in 2000 and hasn’t stopped since. “I enjoy the containment of two-dimensional pieces, as well as the challenge of multi-dimensional forms. My works are often spontaneous, always intuitive, and very often, a reaction to an architectural language or an organic form,” shares Bhatt, who completed her Master’s degree in Ceramic Sculpture from Baroda in 1999.
Some of her inspirations lie in geo-sociological conditions, architectural spaces, memories, current affairs and impressions which often find their way into her artwork.
“I have observed that ceramic artefacts are preferred by buyers who love clay and are delighted to see different forms and shapes in ceramic. They buy with the intent of preserving it for the generations to come, and not for reselling,” Bhatt reveals.
Falguni founded the Indian Ceramic Art Foundation in March 2021 to promote ceramic as an art form. She also co-founded AFSA - Fired Art, which encourages artists to indulge in terracotta, pottery or ceramics.
Bhatt hosts classes on ceramics and sculpture at her Bhowanipore workshop Aorang Studio.
You can buy Falguni Bhatt’s art pieces from her website and functional ware pieces from her workshop in Kolkata.
Arpita Ball
Arpita Ball’s C/O Clay Studio has made it easier for people to buy artisanal ceramic online. The artist’s ceramic jewellery and ‘un-functionals’ like hand-painted chimes and mini sculpted pieces are one-of-a-kind. You’ll also spot chic homeware like diffusers, kimchi pots, pickle jars, butter dishes etc.
“All our products are made from scratch to the final form. Each individual piece gets immense attention and love from the maker, with an aim to transfer the same affection to our patrons. Handmade ceramic has a fantastic power of touch when you hold a product. So we aim to reach every person who loves to hold their coffee mug at the end of the day and feel how grateful and fulfilling life is,” shares Ball, who also hosts classes and workshops.
Customers can place their orders here.
Ishwari Basu
If you’re looking for bespoke, made-to-order pieces or custom picks, explore Kolkata potter Ishwari Basu’s Ion Earth Pottery. The artist shares her creative journey on her Instagram page and her pieces celebrate the joyousness of everyday living.
“I can never pinpoint that one thing which I feel is the most satisfying step out of the entire process of making a pot. But my relationship with trimming has been a journey in itself. It seemed like such a daunting thing to do, to be able to attach an almost dry clay to the wheel without clay stoppers, screwing up, then and even now sometimes. But it's something I definitely look forward to now,” Basu shared in an Instagram post.
The artist’s layered espresso tumbler, ceramic planters, phases of the moon tealight holder are creative and ingenious. For buyers who are keen on themed series or personalised art for their homes, made-to-order ceramic pieces are ideal.