Celebrating Day

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

- Rahul Kumar

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?