Rooted in the quiet rhythm of the wheel and the intention behind form, Gauri Oak is the potter behind GOAK Ceramics, a design-led studio based in Bangalore. Originally from the Konkan coast, she spent her early years moving across India, before working for nearly a decade in communications and operations. A weekend workshop in clay changed her course entirely.
She was drawn to the quiet resistance of clay and the space it offered to keep learning and refining. What started as a weekend curiosity slowly grew—one form, one surface, one decision at a time—into what is now GOAK Ceramics. “I’m always designing for the hand as much as the eye,” Gauri says. “There’s a moment when a piece just feels right—and that’s when I know it’s done.”
That sense of balance is what shapes Gauri’s work—how a piece looks, how it feels in your hands, and how well it works in everyday life. She often plays with contrast: when the form is simple, she adds interest through surface work; when the form is more detailed, she keeps the glaze clean and simple. Her process builds in layers and is full of small, thoughtful choices—like the shape of a foot ring or the gentle curl of a rim. Her work invites you to slow down and notice the small things—the quiet kind of beauty that reveals itself over time.
GOAK Ceramics is more than just Gauri’s studio—it’s also a place for learning and sharing. Over the years, she’s developed her own vocabulary of techniques and teaches students at all levels, some of whom have gone on to start their own studios. Her space has grown into a supportive, welcoming community built on a shared love for the craft and a culture of openness, encouragement, and long-term growth.
“I love when students find their rhythm,” she shares. “Pottery doesn’t reward shortcuts—it rewards consistency, observation, and showing up.” Through both her practice and teaching, Gauri continues to shape clay—and shape a culture of ceramics that’s grounded, generous, and ever evolving.
