Celebrating Day
POOL|POOL 106

Ceramic artist Rahul Kumar believes in using his unique visual language to reinvent things from nature

Rahul Kumar
Celebrating Day

When were you drawn to pottery?

RK: At the age of 16, I saw a traditional potter demonstrating at the Central Cottage Emporium in Delhi. I was so fascinated with his skill - it was magical to see how a lump of clay became a hollow form. That left a mark in my memory and it was the start of a love affair. Although, like is usually the case for all ceramists in India, I was trained as a studio potter, I now rarely make functional pots. My works are now sculptural forms, pieces of art that have a story to tell.

What took you from management studies to ceramic art?

RK: I come from a family of professionals with a middle-class value system. Education has always been most important. While my sister and I were always encouraged to explore various vocations from sports to arts, a formal mainstream education and career remained at the core. Being an artist was not considered a career option that could give a respectable livelihood. So, I pursued an MBA and took up a corporate job/career and practiced my art on the side for 18 long years. During that time I prioritized my art over other things that I could engage in (in time beyond my work life) but that was the choice I made. In hindsight, I am glad I had a dependable and well-paying career. I never had to depend on my art to sell to pay the bills and that was most liberating. I always chose to make what I felt like. It helped me tremendously to remain true to my expression. I completed my Master’s in Art from the University of Dallas (USA) on a Fulbright Scholarship in 2008 and received the Charles Wallace award to study in the UK in 2013. Three years back I finally decided to become a full-time art professional.

When did you decide to set up Rahul Clay Studio?

This story is from the POOL 106 edition of POOL.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the POOL 106 edition of POOL.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM POOLView All
A Legacy Continues
Designindia

A Legacy Continues

Leveraging the success of his family's export business, Naman Jain is focusing on creating a retail presence in India

time-read
5 mins  |
Designindia 143
Creating KAIRA
Designindia

Creating KAIRA

Long fascinated by Indian fabric, Nikita Gupta has launched an attractive line of contemporary apparel in traditional block prints

time-read
4 mins  |
Designindia 143
Stories faces tell
Designindia

Stories faces tell

Aditya Narula dabbled in various vocations before he realized portraiture was the best way to express the fascinating complexities of the people he encountered along the way

time-read
6 mins  |
Designindia 143
time tested DESIGN
Designindia

time tested DESIGN

Surrounded by art and architecture as a child, Sarah Sham went on to take the family antiques business in a new direction through her interior design venture

time-read
3 mins  |
Designindia 143
DANGEROUSLY DELICATE
Designindia

DANGEROUSLY DELICATE

Kavya Potluri's attention to minute detail is what sets her intricate and unconventional jewelry apart

time-read
5 mins  |
Designindia 143
music as muse
Designindia

music as muse

A multidisplinary visual artist, Aaron Pinto, also known as Kidsquidy, has had an interesting journey that started with MTV and has him now working on everything from music videos to stage design

time-read
8 mins  |
Designindia 143
DEVELOPING A DISCOURSE
Designindia

DEVELOPING A DISCOURSE

Documentary photographer Taha Ahmad believes his work has a greater purpose than merely being admired by a select audience for its esthetic value. It's when people are able to see the underside of society and understand the prevailing social injustice that the work tries to reveal that it is truly worthwhile.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Designindia 143
Tiny little Stories
Designindia

Tiny little Stories

Creating miniature worlds allows Ruchika Nambiar to continue to play childlike games of make-believe

time-read
8 mins  |
Designindia 143
The Richness Of Handmade
Designindia

The Richness Of Handmade

Amit Vijaya and Richard Pandav are committed to bringing together many hands and hearts through their clothing label ‘amrich’

time-read
6 mins  |
Designindia 114
The perfect balance
Designindia

The perfect balance

Aniruddh Mehta is as much graphic designer as visual artist, and he tries to do justice to both through his work at Studio Bigfat

time-read
5 mins  |
Designindia 114