“माटी कहे कुम्हार से” (The Dialogue), presented at Nine Fish Art Gallery in Association with Dot Line Space Art Foundation, is a profound exploration of clay as a medium of self-expression, cultural reflection, and artistic innovation. The exhibition, carefully curated with sensitivity and insight, unfolds across six distinct sections, each a window into the artist’s complex engagement with both tradition and modernity. This exhibition invites viewers into Sandeep Manchekar’s unique world of ceramics, where the elemental nature of clay becomes a powerful vehicle for exploring the intersections of identity, tradition, and artistic exploration.

Identity in Clay

The section Identity in Clay reflects on the artist’s personal journey and self-perception, explored through sculptural works that evoke deep introspection and emotional complexity. Each piece becomes a vessel of emotional resonance, showcasing how clay, as a medium, can capture the nuances of human identity – fluid, multifaceted, and ever – evolving. Through the tactile nature of the material, the artist presents a dialogue between the external world and the internal self, where each form and texture carries an imprint of the artist’s personal narrative.

Clay is Culture

The Cultural Echoes series delves into the intersection of heritage, memory, and transformation, expressed through clay – moulded abstract canvases. The works in this collection serve as a bridge between past and present, evoking a rich tapestry of cultural memory. Through the organic curves and layered surfaces of the ceramic pieces, Manchekar explores how culture is not only remembered but continually reshaped, just like the clay itself. These works provoke reflection on the ever evolving nature of cultural expression, where history is both preserved and reinterpreted, and how the tangible materiality of clay serves as a vessel for intangible traditions and memories.

Aesthetics of Resilience

In Origins of Form, Sandeep Manchekar delves into the transformative process of Raku. The delicate balance of heat, air, fire, and Raku clay in this ancient technique results in unique, often imperfect, but beautiful pieces. Each raku-fired work embodies the inherent tension between creation and destruction, capturing a moment of transformation. And thus within the moments of imperfection lie the aesthetics of life itself with all its imperfections, its unresolved desires and the inevitable passage of time. Sandeep’s mastery of this unpredictable process speaks to the delicate interplay between nature and the artist, where each piece emerges as a record of the forces at work.

Temporal Resonance

Temporal Resonance reflects on the duality of time – its impermanence and its enduring essence – through the creation of Ashpit-fired pots. Shaped by the volatile forces of wood fire, these ceramic pieces embody the cycle of birth, decay, and renewal. The imperfection of the process – evidenced by charred marks, cracks, and subtle shifts in colour – captures the essence of life’s transience. Through his use of the wood-firing technique, Sandeep embraces the truant nature of the flame, allowing it to leave traces of time’s passage. Each piece becomes a tactile record of mutation, a reflection on the cyclical nature of life, where every imperfection documents a story.

The Abstract ( Luster)

In the abstract series, Sandeep Manchekar explores the untapped potential of clay through the use of luster glaze, fusing metallic elements into the surface of fired clay. This innovative approach creates a mesmerizing interplay of light, reflection, and texture. The plates in this collection transcend the conventional, offering a glimpse into a futuristic aesthetic where clay becomes a medium for reimagining both materiality and form. The gleaming surfaces and dynamic textures invite the viewer to contemplate the relationship between light, time, and artistic evolution.

हम कुम्हार: A Monumental Installation

In his monumental installation हम कुम्हार, Sandeep brings together a profound narrative of heritage, craftsmanship, and societal reflection. The installation features ten life-size pots, each symbolizing a different community of potters and reflecting the diverse types of soil from which they have emerged. These pots are placed on a traditional bullock cart, an evocative symbol of the ancient history of civilization, where pottery was not just a craft but a vital cultural anchor. The pots are not mere objects; they are metaphors for the deep, intricate connections between people and the land they inhabit.

As the installation unfolds, it also addresses the contemporary relevance of the caste system in India. The varied forms, textures, and colours of the pots subtly allude to societal divisions, while their placement together on the same bullock cart serves as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity. In a world still grappling with social hierarchies, Sandeep’s installation challenges the viewer to reflect on the collective belonging and question how history continues to shape identities in the present.

Through this installation, Sandeep invites us into a conversation on heritage, identity, and social reflection, urging us to rethink the connections between craft, culture, and societal divisions. The work challenges us to reflect on the complexities of the caste system while also celebrating the unity and strength found in shared cultural practices.

This exhibition, “माटी कहे कुम्हार से,” is a powerful dialogue between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation, and between the artist and the material. Sandeep Manchekar’s mastery of ceramics is not just a technical achievement, but a powerful delving into the forces that shape identity, culture, and society. It is a meditation on the transformative power of art, where clay – an elemental material – becomes a vehicle for communicating the most profound human experiences.