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Exhibition of wood-fired stoneware

—Photo: T. Singaravelou

SHOWING HER TALENT: Ceramic artist Antra at her exhibition of wood-fired stoneware in Puducherry.

PUDUCHERRY: A hall filled with myriad shapes, sizes and patterns of wood-fired stoneware with a harmonious blend of earthen colours and textures. This is ceramic artist Antra’s exhibition for you, titled “Work in Progress” — a show of wood-fired stoneware.

The nine-day exhibition, which was opened on August 16, displays unique pieces of wood-fired stoneware ranging from vases, pots, platter, bowls and tetrax. The cost of the pieces ranges from Rs. 300 to Rs. 18,000.

Qualified in painting and mural design, Ms. Antra had also trained in ceramics at the Golden Bridge Pottery in Puducherry. It was the challenges put forth by clay that attracted her towards this art form. “Clay is very involving. It is a very responsive medium. You can do anything with clay and create any shape you want. There are no restrictions,” she added.

Explaining about wood-fired stoneware, she said, “Stoneware is the clay body that vitrifies at 1,300 degree centigrade. One can do firing in electric, a gas kiln or a wood fired kiln. The aesthetic of firing with wood is to use coatings of various clays that reach with fly ash and yield rich earthen colours and textures on the surface of the pot of sculpture.”

As the carefully moulded pieces show off intricate forms and designs in the light of natural colours, she said that her work was mostly with clay and minerals.

Ms. Antra had exhibited her works in places including Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. She had displayed her works at the Jehangir Art Gallery and participated in the Harmony show in Mumbai for the last four years.

The Japan Foundation has selected her for a three-month residency programme. It would consist of an interaction with 20 artists from across the world including designers. “There would be a cultural exchange, interaction and means to develop our techniques,” the 30-year-old ceramic artist said. The exhibition at Gallery 91 would close on August 24.

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