Since ages ceramics has been a part of human civilisation. Fascinated by this medium, artist Vinod Daroz has been exploring artistic themes through his ceramic works for the past 20 years. Vinod’s works embody the culture, trends and theories of contemporary art practices with an emphasis on temple architecture of South India.
“Indian temples are very rich. From an early age, I have been intrigued by temple atmosphere and ‘gopuram’ (temple entrances) which I have tried to portray through my ceramic art works,” says Vinod in an interaction with The Hindu during a ceramic workshop in the city for school students of Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan.
Vinod hails from Kalwakurthi in Mahabubnagar district and grew up watching his father and elder brothers spend hours designing jewellery at their workshop. His inclination towards ceramic art began after he witnessed his uncle P.R.Daroz, a ceramic artist, work on the medium and later his ceramic teacher Jyotsna Bhatt drew him towards ceramic art forms.
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When he started his artistic pursuit, he had no hint that his pieces would get picked up the Ambanis and the Jindals someday.
An MFA in Ceramic Sculpture from MS University in Baroda, Vinod says working in ceramic is challenging and an elaborate process that makes it an expensive proposition as well. “Setting up a studio with the furnace, potter’s wheel, glaze material involves a lot of effort. In fact, the colours used in the art works are costly too. For instance, the blue colour comes from Cobalt oxide which costs Rs. 25,000 per kg,” explains Vinod.
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He makes his own clay in his studio in Baroda and imports porcelain from China, used in some of his works. While the patronage for ceramic art has been growing steadily in India, Vinod says art galleries still shy away from hosting ceramic shows because of the logistics involved in transportation and handling.
“A decade ago, it was very difficult to get a gallery to host a ceramic show. It is only now that the art form has picked up, especially in mature art markets like Delhi and Mumbai. I believe if you are creative, you create your own market. The understanding of art forms and awareness for art collection is growing rapidly in India,” he says.
His recent solo show in Delhi’s Threshold Art Gallery showcased his fascination with the feminine forces, the lingam and yin and yang. One of Vinod’s early series was a tribute to victims of tsunami in 2005, with images of Buddha. Months later, Vinod visited temples in Kancheepuram where he was taken in by the colourful gopurams, garba griha and the murals. Inspired by what he saw, he worked on the temple series.
Vinod has recently got membership in the prestigious International Ceramic Association of Geneva, which has only four ceramic artists from India. “This is a great achievement for me and ceramic art. In countries like UK, the ceramic art scene is very strong. Indian artists are yet to get their recognition for the innovation and intricate effort that goes into each ceramic art work,” he adds.
Symposium
The artist is currently working on a Siva temple series. He will be heading to Turkey next month for a ceramic symposium of international artists and has a series of solo and group shows lined up in the months ahead.
Indian temples are very rich. From an early age, I have been intrigued by temple atmosphere and ‘gopuram’ (temple entrances) which I have tried to portray through my ceramic art works
Vinod Daroz
Ceramic artist