Celebrating the Poetry and Beauty of Life

Upon entering the exhibition, one was immediately struck by the visual poetry of the creations, but because most of the work is either relatively small in size and intricately detailed, or elegantly understated, at first none of the pieces really spring to one’s attention. Rather, they all come alive together, in a subtle and harmonious way, much like a field of flowers sings its own song and showcases its unique collective hue.

It then took more attentive observation to notice that the central pond and its little garden was sprinkled with dozens of pieces. Some were floating like leaves on the pond, some were partially hidden among the greenery, only emerging from it as though they too had sprung out from the nature that surrounded them.

Each piece, a testament to her inspiration from the beauty of life and nature's wilderness, resonated with a unique vibrancy. The diversity in her work – from the gentle undulations of a vase to the intricate textures on a bowl – reflected her quest to embody life's abundance, generosity, and hope.

Priya’s skill in hand-building techniques was evident in every curve and contour. The use of stoneware clay, treated with an array of slips, glazes, stains, enamels, and gold luster, resulted in a stunning array of effects. The pieces ranged from earthy and organic to elegantly lustrous, each carrying a piece of the artist's depth and richness of honing all her artistic experiences.

Texture and rhythm were central themes. The surfaces of her pottery beckoned to be touched, each texture telling a story of spontaneity and serendipity, mimicking nature, then juxtaposing it with shimmery details.

One piece particularly struck me, it showed a moonlit path. I felt that it told a story and later came to know that it was indeed illustrating an entire story, inspired by this line of poetry by Alfred Noyes: ‘The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor’.

The artist in her statement said the intention was to pursue the unity of opposites. Asymmetry married with balance, chaos intertwined with harmony, and imperfection met with an acute attention to detail. This duality was not just a visual experience but a philosophical exploration, prompting the viewers to ponder the complexities and dualities inherent in life itself, bringing them all together into a beautiful whole.

Another captivating aspect of Priya’s work was her use of multiple firings. This technique added layers of depth and richness, with the interplay of light and shadow and glazing techniques bringing each piece to life. The transformation of the clay through the fire seemed to mirror the transformative journey of life, echoing the artist's deep engagement with the process of creation and existence.

In a manner reminiscent of strolling through a field of flowers, each blossom individually observed, one departed from the exhibition, carrying with one a subtle trace of the delicately orchestrated poetry and fragrance that lingered throughout, a subtle scent of hope, to keep and cherish, as the artist had intended.