Ananya - Sanskrit for “Unique”
The vibrant colors and intricate designs is a showcase of the culture I grew up with. I use my pots to start a dialogue, which leads to the range of diverse appearances in my pots. As I make every pot with its own unique style, I allow myself to explore different clays, firing methods, and surface treatments.
As a result, I work with stoneware clay with the same passion as I work with porcelain clay, because sometimes a soda fired stoneware piece is as warm and beautiful as an elegant, beautifully carved, reduction fired, porcelain piece in Celadon glaze.
Lastly, I love to make double wall pots because of the challenge it poses and with the extra layer I am able to carve and pierce without compromising the integrity of the pot.
Tripti In The Media
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Why Double Wall?
Double walled pots are basically challenging the potter in me to push the envelope and make a pot, which despite having a pierced outer wall the piece is still FUNCTIONAL.
Over the years I have developed a technique to accomplish just that and the result is having a full outer layer of pot to have fun decorating!
I am always excited to carve and pierce the extra layer, and to be able to use contrast glazes for the inner and outer layers! The process of decorating this layer is delicate, and requires precise timing. For instance, if I rush drying the pot then, there is a risk of inside pot getting separated from the outer layer. Same goes with carving: carving close to the foot of the pot weakens its base, which causes the pot to be top heavy and results in slumping the pot!
I treat my Special Double Wall Teapots (Elephants, Fish Etc.) as more of a Sculpture value. They take a lot of time and patience.
An Elephant Teapot takes around 48 Hours from throwing the pot on the wheel to altering and hand building the body to carve, pierce and glaze. The firing time is separate. This process is similar for the Fish.
The end result of making a Double Wall pot is the satisfaction of creating a one of a kind, unique, functional piece.
Recent Commission
Tripti recently completed the commission of a lovely tea set. The client wanted a set that reflected the colors of the New Orleans flag. Specifically, the tea set was designed based on the yellow fleurs-de-lis on the flag. The fleur-de-lis is a stylized depiction of a flower and a traditional French symbol, demonstrating the city's French heritage and strong ties to France.
