Ceramics

The first thing that strikes you about any exhibition of Priya Sundaravalli’s is the sheer fecundity and variety of her work which makes it impossible to classify her.

Sagarika was born and raised in Auroville. In 2019 she went abroad to continue her education and broaden her experience. Recently she returned to Auroville.

Kratu, an Aurovilian artist, passed away on July 7th. Kratu was born on the 2nd May 1942 in Lonigo, Verona, Italy. In his early twenties, his passion for art led him to live in various countries and to hitch hike around the Mediterranean.

The inaugural edition of the Earthbound Pottery Festival – a convergence of artistic expression and cultural celebration – took place over three days at the Alliance Francaise in mid January.

A ceramics art exhibition by Priya Sundaravalli. Priya’s fifth pottery exhibition, set against the backdrop of the gallery space at Pitanga, was a breathtaking confluence of artistic skill and poetic sensitivity.

Long-term Aurovilians Gillian, Roy, Angad and Adil met in Adil’s house in late September. Angad and Adil are working potters, Roy a former potter and Gillian, Roy’s partner, ran a crafts workshop and has been active in promoting village clean up and cycle path initiatives.

It felt like we were at a ceramic conference. The who’s-who of the pottery scene in Pondicherry and Auroville were present, as were Golden Bridge Pottery students, ex-students, staff and ex-staff.

What do we write about the giant works of a ‘giant’ of ceramics – one who exhibits seldom and writes about his work even more seldom? Ray Meeker’s recent exhibition at the Centre d’Art at Citadines gives us the rare opportunity to reflect on the artwork of a pioneer artist and a man who has constructed innovative buildings in Auroville.

This month, the 5th Art for Land exhibition opened at Unity Pavilion, in collaboration with Auroville Art Service and Acres for Auroville. Until 21 February, a collection of sculptures, paintings, ceramics, photographs, and more offered by Auroville’s artists and well-wishers will be displayed for the community.

Jaipur, August 31st. “On behalf of the Jawahar Kala Kendra, (JKK) I welcome you to Breaking Ground, India’s first ever Ceramics Triennale,” said JKK’s director general Pooja Sood to the large audience.

Margarita, jointly with Guidelma, runs MG EcoDuties, an activity under Auroville Activities Trusts. MG EcoDuties researches and manufactures All Natural, Biodegradable, Non-Toxic Cleaning and Well Being products that are 100% eco-friendly (“this means truly 100%, and not just a bit,” says Margarita), economical (“especially for Aurovilians who live on a low maintenance”); do not add to the landfills (“as people can fill-up their own bags and bottles”); are not damaging washing machines, fabrics and pipelines or are clogging sceptic tanks; and are beneficial for human health.