British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, is hosting Journeys of Clay and Fire, a collective exhibition featuring 7 ceramic artists and makers from across India. The exhibition focusing on their work in the field of contemporary Indian ceramic art will run from September 30 to November 29, 2022, at the British Council, New Delhi.
Journeys of Clay and Fire brings together Indian and UK artists and arts organisations to co-develop and collaborate on projects which explore new futures for craft in India. The exhibit is a part of the India/UK Together, Season of Culture – a programme of Arts, English and Education that celebrates India’s 75th anniversary and builds on the British Council’s commitment to creating opportunities for Indian and UK artists and artisans to collaborate. Some exhibiting Indian artisans have also been supported by the Charles Wallace India Trust.
The exhibition aims to draw attention to artisanal pottery – one of India’s oldest art forms – and underline what artistic collaboration and knowledge exchange can do in reviving a fading art form and taking it to global audiences.
Exhibit 1 includes work by
- Ela Mukherjee (Delhi) – “Meanderings and “Tribute to a Shared Past Series”,
- Abhay B. Pandit (Mumbai) – Fathom” and “Troposphere”,
- K. GukanRaj (Chennai) – “Tidal” and “Thaw”,
- Neha Kudchadkar (Mumbai) – “Inheritance” and “Weightlifter”,
- Shitanshu G. Maurya (Kolkata) – “The Sketchbook II”, “Fossil 1” and “Fossil II”,
- Shruti Bansal (Delhi) – “Memoirs of Transformation”,
- Shirley Bhatnagar (Dehradun) – “Ochterlony’s Household” and “Unusual Suspects”.
The exhibition would also explore the fostering of a creative dialogue between design institutions in India and the UK which is leading to innovative solutions.
Exhibit 2 would showcase collaborative work by
- Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University Ahmedabad and British Ceramics Biennale in Gundiyali, Gujarat,
- Indian Institute of Craft and Design, Jaipur and West Dean College of Arts and Conservation in Baswa, Rajasthan.
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22, we reached 650 million people. britishcouncil.org
About Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT)
The Charles Wallace India Trust is a UK charity and a grant-making Trust established in 1981. Our alumni numbering almost 3,000 people, come from across India. We work in partnership with several institutions providing much-needed opportunities for postgraduate study and research in the arts, heritage and humanities.
British Council India has been our main partner for more than four decades. We are particularly pleased to be collaborating with the British Council on the India/UK Together Season of Culture. The Trust has been a key player in the development of contemporary ceramics in India. We are grateful to Kristine Michael (alumna) for curating this exciting exhibition showcasing the work of our grantees.
About India/UK Together, a Season of Culture
India/UK Together, a Season of Culture is a year-long celebration of the long-standing relationship between India and the UK. Marking India’s 75th anniversary, the Season of Culture will see a vast programme of creative collaboration, education and cultural exchange take place online, and in cities across both countries. Working with a number of partners and institutions in the field of Arts, Education and English, the British Council is developing a programme of cultural activity which will bring together people in both countries, raise awareness around key real-world issues, and strengthen and celebrate the UK and India’s educational and cultural ties. For more information on India/UK Together, a Season of Culture, please visit www.britishcouncil.in
