Born in fire: a residency in wood firing and an exhibition

The residency is directed by Indrani Singh Cassime, who has built Phoenix Potteries into a centre for ceramic arts and community-building. Co-curated by Russian artist Tania Purans, each edition includes a group of eight Russian ceramicists, alongside an international mix of participants. Saraswati of HaveFunPottery provides curatorial support. Artists stay and work on-site for nearly two weeks, dedicating themselves to the intensive process of creating and firing their work.

Unlike many funded programmes, BORN IN FIRE is entirely self-sustained. It is rooted in a shared commitment to the craft rather than institutional backing. The focus is on process rather than outcome – on working together, learning from the kiln, and understanding the materials. While each artist brings their own approach, the residency is built on a collective effort to create and exhibit work shaped by the experience of firing together.

The fifth edition of the residency culminated in an exhibition at Savitri Bhavan in March, showcasing the pieces created during the programme. This exhibition reflected not only the individual skill of each artist but also the shared experience of working with the complexities of wood firing.