2016 - 2023 | Terracotta
Our Kumbhar friends have been involved in clay work since childhood. Their village is known for pottery, but over the past few decades, changing contexts have altered the relationship of many potters with clay. They have navigated their connection with clay in various ways at different times. Most of their time has been dedicated to fulfilling the practical and traditional needs of the local market. Understanding their work and experiences, we can observe changes in our relationship with the clay. This raises the question: What should it be today?
We want to understand the story of clay through the relationships that you, we, our friends and the audience have with clay. In the end, as much as it is a story of clay, it is also the story of our potter friends, a story that resonates with every human. In the course of our friends' lives, clay has played a role in various ways. Through discussions and workshops, we will attempt to understand, feel, and showcase their experiences.
KUMBHAR ISMAIL HUSSAIN from the village of Lodai is a potter who carries the wisdom of time, shaping clay into intricate tales of tradition and resilience. Despite a 17 year sojourn in Dubai he endures the spirit of craftsmanship. The clay brought him back to his roots.
KUMBHAR JAMILA HAZI, daughter of Ismail Hussain, brings a fresh palette to the family tradition. She breathes life into pottery through painting, a skill passed down through generations. Her strokes on clay pot narrate tales of familial bonds and the artistic lineage that courses through her veins.
At 74, KUMBHAR MEERIYA ALARAKHA paints on pottery with a mastery passed down from her mother, creating a bridge between the past and the present. Her hands, weathered by time, continue to create the beauty of tradition and the enduring legacy of her craft.
KUMBHAR FATIMA ISMAIL discovered the world of painting after marriage. At 64, she holds the paint brush with grace, contradicting her late start. Her artistic evolution encapsulates the richness of her experiences with the hues of her own unique perspective.
In the rich landscape of Kachchh's artisanal heritage, KHAMIR is a dedicated supporter. The team at Khamir, including communication designer Daraab Abbasi and ceramic designer Maurya Goldy have acted as facilitators. Together they engaged in a participatory process to bring up an exhibition concept shaped by the artisans creativity.
