Desires in Clay

ISSUE: 132

While Sarban Choudhary’s life today revolves around clay, glazes and fire, he was once a reluctant ceramist!

How did your tryst with ceramics begin?

SC: I was born in a small town on the outskirts of Kolkata, and did my BFA and MFA in ceramic art at Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata. When I first tried working with clay I actually didn’t enjoy it. I failed miserably over the first few months but didn’t lose hope, and my batch mates were very supportive. After almost two years of working with ceramics, I realized that unknowingly I had gradually fallen in love with this medium. And over the years I have developed an intimate relationship with clay – the passion has just been growing.

Tell us about your experiments with different media.

SC: I would call myself a ceramist in the first place because I understand ceramics much better than any other medium. The other mediums only act as additions to the ceramic forms, to glorify their appeal or justify certain aspects.

How has participating in artist residency programs shaped you as an artist?

SC: I love to participate in artist residency programs as it gives me a space to work and grow in a challenging environment. I get to focus on my practice, integrate and harmonize my skills and ideas in the company of people who are geared towards the same. However, on a few occasions, residency programs have taught me to surmount harshness and undue criticism, even from my own artistic brethren. Nothing teaches better than adversity.

Purchase Designindia 133 here. Read the digital copy of Designindia on Magzter, or POOL App which you can download from AppStore, Google Play.