Curated by Farah Siddiqui and Natasha Mehta, Living Traditions celebrates the continuing contribution of practising women ceramic artists living and working in India who are driven by ingenuity and determination. This exhibition focuses on eleven women artists whose visually magnificent, diverse and rich ceramic practices acknowledge and engage with clay traditions yet embody innovative, personal, unique artmaking and conceptual approaches.

RACHANA PARASHAR 

Noida-based artist Rachna Parashar showcased two series, the Excavation Series and Anagama Series. The  Excavation Series was crafted on a  weathered wood pedestal, while the Anagama Series titled Bindu symbolised Devi Shakti and her action in the universe. Another attraction was pieces like Bodhi, which represented a twice-born Brahmin: one with a  bodhi pointing up for ego and the other pointing down for humility.

INDRANI SINGH CASSIME 

Puducherry-based Indrani is renowned for crafting exquisite pieces with clay.  Using clay from a native lake, firing in her Anagama kiln, and glazing with ash from the firewood lends her creations an incomparable rustic and sublime quality. Her expertise lies in infusing beauty into every item while taking advantage of powerful traditional techniques like Anagama kiln firing.  Through her studio Phoenix Potteries,  she continues to create stunning artwork with Anagama kilns.

SARASWATI 

Saraswati is a Puducherry-based  Russian artist. At the age of 12, she started taking ceramics classes and had her first solo show by the time she was 20. Moving to Auroville reignited Saraswati’s ceramic art practice, giving life to a unique and whimsical miniature style of art. Her recent works reflect her spontaneous personality, merging architectural themes with organic forms. 

ELODIE ALEXANDER

Elodie Alexandre is a French artist based in Andretta who holds a BA  and MA in Ceramics from Cardiff  Metropolitan University, UK. She has been selected for prestigious events such as the British Ceramics Biennial (2011), the Belgium Biennial of  Ceramics (2015) and the Jakarta  Contemporary Ceramics Biennale  (2016). Additionally, she was chosen to participate in the Indian Ceramics  Triennale (2018). Alexandre is also co-founder of Atelier Lãlmitti, a clay centre located in Andretta.

FALGUNI BHATT 

Falguni Bhatt, a West Bengal-based sculptor, ceramicist and installation artist originally from Baroda. Her art deconstructs stereotypes of thought and practice, reflecting intense sensitivity to the environment and mind. She crafts handmade techniques and experiments with new concepts – resulting in works based on space, architectural language, organic forms and spontaneity – in 2D, 3D or mixed media with ceramic. 

PRIYA SUNDARAVALLI 

Priya Sundaravalli is a Puducherry-based ceramic artist whose work combines traditional hand-building techniques with spontaneity and serendipity. Inspired by poetry and everyday life, she creates decorative effects using a variety of techniques.  Her pieces celebrate the beauty,  abundance, and hope of life, while also reminding us of the poetry found in the simplest things. 

KAVITA PANDYA GANGULY 

Gujarat-based Kavita Pandya Ganguly is a skilled ceramic artist specialising in the Nerikomi technique. With  27 years of experience, she has established herself as a respected figure in the world of art and design.  Kavita’s work combines organic forms with geometric simplicity, resulting in a visual language that exudes a meditative rhythm.  

KOPAL SETH 

Madhya Pradesh-based artist Ko pal Seth seamlessly blends her rich cultural background with contemporary design to create stunning and emotionally resonant works. Her designs are an intricate tapestry of history and memory, imbued with a  deep desire to preserve cultural identity. Her designs, exploring themes of heritage, tradition, and identity, are thought-provoking, captivating, and deeply personal. 

VEENA CHANDRAN 

Veena Chandran, a Pune-based artist, is driven by her passion for creating a lasting impact through sustainable methods. Nature has always been a prominent source of inspiration for Veena, reflected in her striking creations using clay as her medium of choice. Drawing inspiration from abstracts found in nature,  she transforms them into breathtaking art pieces, effortlessly blending her innermost thoughts and desires with her inspiration. 

SHWETA MANSINGKA 

New Delhi-based ceramic artist  Mansingka began her journey with clay in 1989, studying under two  Indian art grandmasters. Mansing ka’s unique artistic style features unglazed clay surfaces imprinted by the elements, metallic salts, smoke,  and flames. Each artwork undergoes a personalised passage through the fire, resulting in a singular metamorphosis. Her creative process reflects the journey of human life, imbuing each piece with a deeper meaning.  Mansingka’s ceramic art continues to inspire and captivate, evoking emotions through its intricate detailing and thought-provoking themes. 

REKHA GOYAL 

Mumbai-based artist Rekha Goyal is a multidisciplinary creator with over two decades of experience in the arts. With a degree in ceramics from  Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai, and a  Master’s in Art in Architecture from  London, her practice has evolved to encompass site-specific installations,  murals, and collaborative projects in the crafts, art therapy, and multi-disci plinary design. Goyal’s work is a testament to her artistic vision, blending traditional techniques with modern sensibilities to create visually stunning and conceptually rich pieces.