A pottery workshop by Bipasha Sen Gupta in progress (left), some pottery items made by the participants (top right), a young pottery enthusiast (bottom right)
Gomantak Times
The oldest medium used by man to make pots, tools, utensils, figurines and other artifacts was clay, with hands shaping, pinching, coiling, making designs, sculptures, and embossing on slabs of clay, which was then bisque fired and later glazed.
“With the invention of the potter’s wheel, it became complex; but, it’s a therapeutic process where on learns about centering the clay on the wheel,” says Bipasha Sen Gupta, who conducts classes at Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Majorda, teaching hand-built and wheel throwing methods. “Once that is mastered, we can make many different shapes and beautiful pottery. Centering and the art of pulling clay to make shapes takes 3 to 6 months. By then, you have mastered the art of patience and meditation!” Bipasha affirms.
A 14" hand-painted ceramic plate (left); ‘Kamdhenu, the eternal cow’ (Medium: tea on handmade paper) (right) by Bipasha Sen Gupta
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Bipasha completed high school at the Convent of Jesus and Mary, in Baroda, in 1987, and her BCom from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (in 1990). She later attained a BEd from Annamalai University.
After giving up a teaching and a corporate job, she joined the famous Delhi Blue Pottery Trust, initiated by Gurcharan Singh, and enrolled in a 3-year pottery course, after which she took up glaze courses under Sandeep Manchekar, and Ted Secombh, Australia.
Artist Bipasha Sen Gupta
Bipasha relocated to Goa, from Delhi, in 2020. She has conducted corporate workshops, ranging from 1 day to 3 days, with groups of 25 to 30 managerial personnel, with Deloitte PWC, banks (SBI) and PSUs, as well as workshops on mindfulness and pottery, with students aged 16-60 years, one-day experiences and 3-month courses, in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi and Kolkata.
She’s also a self-taught visual artist, painting since the age of 8, initiated by her grandparents. She began experimenting and composing paintings with tea stains on organic handmade paper and canvas, and is inspired by mythological Indian themes, flora and fauna. Among her leisure time activities, are cycling, gardening and flower arrangement.
ARTISTIC INFLUENCES & SHOWS
Among ceramic artists, Bipasha admires Jyotsna Bhatt. “Her work makes you enjoy the journey more than the end product. Her perfect finish and simplistic approach to clay makes her stand apart,” says she.
She follows many international artists and had the opportunity to actually work with master potter and sculptor, Ted Secombe. “His absolute dedication and passion, mingled with the fine lines of absolute gorgeous glazing techniques, makes you fall in love with clay again and again.”
She had a solo show in 2018 at Arpana Caur Art Gallery, shows at IFACS, India international Center, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, Delhi Pottery Fest (2018 & 2019), Goa Potters’ Fest (2021), Baroda Potters’ Fest (2022).
WHERE: Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Majorda
WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays, 3 pm to 5 pm (IST)
FEES: ₹ 1,200 for a hand-built session; ₹ 1,500 for a single-wheel session;
₹ 10,000 for corporate workshops
CONTACT: +91 8888862462