ABOUT ME 

“Thought is a bird of space, that enclosed in a cage of words may indeed unfurl its wings but cannot fly”

– Khalil Gibran

 

Clay has a silent strength, a being    an ability to hold in its form a wordless expression of the artists thoughts. It is malleable, soft and yielding and at the same time possesses within the strength to withstand the greatest forces of nature.

 

Its very nature fascinates me.

Its silent strength is my inspiration.

 

I have had the good fortune to have the guidance of some wonderful teachers in my life. Words are not enough to express the gratitude I feel towards them for enriching my journey with clay and so much more   

 

Shri Ram Kumar Manna in Calcutta – I started training with him in 1989 and it is under his guidance that I had my first solo exhibition of terracotta sculpture at the Birla Academy of Fine Arts in 1995. 

 

In Delhi, under the guidance of Shri Devi Prashad I started working with stoneware on the wheel, learning more about kilns and glazing. This enabled me to finally set up my own studio in 1999 and I work from there ever since. 

 

Since 2007 have been fascinated by the innumerable possibilities for surface treatment of bare clay and have been experimenting with alternative firing techniques – Naked Raku, different kinds of saggar firing and terra sigillatas.

 

I work with a lot of unglazed clay surfaces, marked by the elements, metallic salts, smoke and flames performing an esoteric dance while leaving their imprints on the clay’s naked skin. Each artwork survives its own passage through fire, living out its individual metamorphosis to evolve, emerging completely unique    its story resonates with our own human journey of life. 

 

My art is a reflection of my reverence and gratitude for our life-force. It responds to my fascination with life’s magnanimous potential to perpetuate unconditionally and its inherent resilience to survive victorious over the harshest circumstance.

 

The work also silently speaks of the centri-petalled seeking to know that which lies within, shedding external layers of sheaths and conditioning, returning to innocence/self. I view myself as an open bowled seeker flowing with complete faith in life’s wisdom to lead me. 

 

The journey continues      

Shweta Mansingka

 

CERAMIC TRAINING

2018 – Advanced Raku Workshop with Simcha Evan-Chen

2017 – Masterclass at Keramikos with Alberto Busto

2016 – Workshop with Jolanda Verdegal 

2012 – Workshop Mystique of Black-ware with John Ferguson

2011 – Paper clay workshop with Antonella Cimatti

2008 – Raku and Alternate Firing Techniques Miami University Ohio

2008 – Crystalline Glaze workshop with John Stroomer

2007 – Raku workshop with Tim Andrews

2000 – Kiln making with Shri Devi Prashad

1999 – Tool making with Shri Devi Prashad

1999-2000 – Pottery under Shri Devi Prashad

1997-1998 – Glazing with Rachna Parasher

1989-1995 – Terracotta Sculpture under Shri Ram Kumar Manna in Calcutta

 

EXHIBITIONS

2022 – Cluster Crafts Fair – London

2021 – “Life is better in Black and white” – Gallery Art Positive, Delhi.

2021 – “Bhū” – Emami Art Gallery, Kolkata.

2021 – “Table Manners” – Art & Soul Gallery, Mumbai. 

2021 – “Unlocking the object” – Apparao Galleries, Online Ceramic show.

2021 – “Yatra Naryasthu” – NGMA National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi. 

2021 – “Earthen Transmutations” – Gallery Latitude 28, Online Ceramic show. 

2020 – “Myths, Minds & Materials” – Apparao Galleries, Online sculpture show. 

2019 – “Matisse Revised” – Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkatta. 

2018 – “International Exhibition of Ceramics and Glass MIKS 18” – Zagreb, Croatia.

2018 – “Zagreb Ex Tempore 2018” – Croatia

2018 – “H2O” – AKFD – Jaipur 

2018 – “Porcelain” – Visual Arts Gallery – India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

2017 – “Infinite Earth” – Open Palm Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

2017 – “A Journey of Transformation” – Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

2017 – “The seeker and the sought” – Gallery Art Centrix, New Delhi. 

2013 – “Tea with Devida” – Sanskriti Kendra, Anandgram, New Delhi. 

2011 – “Aspirations” – Solo show at Osho World, Ansal Plaza, New Delhi.

2010 – “Down to Earth” – Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

2009 – “Maati” – Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

2008 – “Equinox” – Osho World, New Delhi.

2007 – “Potters at the Open Palm Court” – Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

2005 – “Fired Earth” – Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

2003 – “Fireworks” – Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

2002 – “All India Studio Potters Show” – AIFACS, New Delhi.

2001 – “A Potters Family” – All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society, New Delhi.

1995 – “Imagine” – Solo show of Terracotta Sculpture at Birla Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta.

 

AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS

 

MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS

 

JURY FOR THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATION