Journey of a ware - Techniques to create art from Earth

Our love and curiosity for ceramics often left us wondering and then we learnt what makes them unique! Have you ever tried the therapeutic Art of Pottery? Taking elements of earth like water and clay, and shaping them into thoughtfully-crafted pieces is an art in itself. Clay is a material rich in history and the possibilities of art. Pottery is a lifestyle that helps immerse your senses in creativity and center your mind in calm and focus.

As we take our favorite ceramics in the embrace of our palms, we often forget to recollect the story behind that piece. But in this world of mass manufactured, handcrafted items have a special place that warms the heart. With skilled artisans behind these pieces, these items crafted with deep thought, attention to detail and most of all, passionate love brings to the table one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces where no two objects are the same!

Do you have a favorite mug that you start your mornings with? A coffee corner to unwind with your book? Or do you love to relax with a cup of tea and old songs in the familiar comfort of your balcony? We understand what tugs at the heartstrings and make the everyday moments of life extra special. And today, we walk you through the journey that your favourite ware has been through.

A celebration of skills, the craft of Pottery involves many layered techniques that give shape to a beautiful piece. Let's explore these methods!

Note: Kneading, pounding and making the lump ready to form gorgeous everyday pieces - Preparing the clay according to the suitability of diverse techniques, is a whole process in itself!

Wheel Throwing:

You must be familiar with the famous Potter’s Wheel, spinning away since ages ago, forming functional and aesthetic homeware.

The wheel is where Potters center the lump of clay. As the rhythmic dance begins, they use their hands and tools to mold and shape it into varied forms like bowls, cups, and plates. No hurry and no impatience, the wheel calls for concentration and the complete surrender of the mind. All that the artisan focuses on is the feel of the clay and water that revolves around the palm and fingers, very slowly giving life to the form.

After the clay dries to a leather-hard state, the excess clay is carefully removed using trimming tools, the shape is refined (elements are added if any) and then the piece is moved to firing as well as glazing or hand painting.

Slip Casting:

Liquid clay, also called Slip, is poured into plaster molds to give it the desired shape. The extra liquid pours out as the slip sets, leaving behind the form that you wanted.

Here too, the excess clay is trimmed away after the cast is ready, and any seams or imperfections are smoothed out. Multiple cast parts may be assembled together depending on the complexity of the piece, followed by the final finishing and refinement before firing and glazing or hand painting.

Fact: “Historically, ceramic materials in the form of clay figurines and pots were the first man-made materials over 10,000 years ago, and maybe even as long as 25,000 years ago.”

Handbuilding:

Handbuilding literally means building an entire piece with your hands.This method involves different techniques like -

Slab Building:

Here, the clay is rolled into flat sheets using a rolling pin or slab roller, and then cut and assembled to create amazing forms. Slabs are flexible and hence, it is a great way to add texture to pieces or create complex shapes.

Pinching:

Potters also shape clay by pinching and squeezing the soft material to create versatile forms. This method allows for intuitive exploration, where you let your mind create art in an independent way, often resulting in organic shapes. No rules, just go with your feeling!

Coiling:

Clay lumps rolled into coils by hand, are stacked and joined together to build forms. This technique creates both delicate vessels and large-scale sculptures.

“The oldest known ceramic artifact was handbuilt and is dated as early as 28,000 BCE.”

Combination of Techniques

Makers often combine techniques to achieve specific effects or overcome some precise challenges. For example, a wheel-thrown vessel may be embellished with handbuilt elements or slip-cast parts may be assembled into a larger, more intricate piece. These combinations allow for endless possibilities and creativity in pottery making.

Example:

No matter the technique, the Potter needs to understand the material, slowly explore the skills, practice patience and focus, as well as pay attention to detail. Pottery has been a craft practiced since ancient times to produce functional objects, making them everyday items that are appreciated worldwide.

Yes, we do love and enjoy ceramic pieces but we also suggest experiencing the process that goes into creating them. Once you dive into the design story and the dedicated efforts that go into a piece, your perception will blossom. And you will realize, the pieces you own are not just tableware, they are so much more. They are WORKS OF ART that make little moments of life extraordinary!