A Pottery Story: The work of Ira Chaudhuri(New Delhi: Tulika Books, 2023)
Release of the book by Dr. Raj Kubba, connoisseur and ceramic art collector
Followed by a talk on
Ira Chaudhuri’s pottery by Kristine Michael, ceramic artist and curator
Moderator: Ina Puri, Curator
The book is a simple commemoration of the work of master potter Ira Chaudhuri, over seven decades-primarily through 150+ images of works juxtaposed with quotes from the artist. Ira Chaudhuri describes her life’s journey in an essay at the end, along with critical writings by artists and critics. The candid, forthright and lucid essay is valuable because Ira Chaudhuri’s career as a self-taught potter tracks the trajectory the development of ceramic art in India, from nascency to its ongoing and gradual insertion into contemporary art practice. Neelima Sheikh, Trupti Patel and Ella Datta’s pieces serve to excavate other facets- her artistic temperament, stylistic influences, and signature technique. The book is compiled and edited by her son Itu Chaudhuri and his studio.