Navadhanya
2023 | Textile, stoneware
Navadhanya, a collection of nine seeds, are a symbol of our heritage and agricultural biodiversity. Each of these seeds are intrinsically associated with one of the nine planets in our solar system, encapsulating and mirroring their distinct characteristics, offering health benefits when consumed on the corresponding planetary day. Passed down through the Vedas and our ancestors, this knowledge has given rise to remarkable dietary practices that effectively sustain multiple crop cycles while maintaining various balances, in turn preserving our ecosystems.
In this body of work, the artist aims to represent these interconnected philosophies by exploring various dichotomies present between the raw and fired forms of the clay. She utilizes Nerikomi, a Japanese technique of layered clay patterns to block print onto fabric, creating an aerial view representing the diversity of small farmlands. Her work invites visitors to celebrate inherent dichotomies while fostering
KAVITA PANDYA GANGULY, an alumnus of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and National institute of Design, Ahmedabad, is a ceramic artist, co-founder of Ochre Ceramics and Pottery. Whilst her experience lies in various ceramic techniques, she has mastered the Japanese surface technique called Nerikomi, practicing it for the last twelve years. Her creations vary from sizable individual installations to collaborative works. She has participated in various art shows displaying her work, including Serendipity Arts Festival, Raw Collaborative, Ceramic Congress etc. She concurrently aims to impart her knowledge and skills by teaching at National Institute of Design and other universities.
