A highly regarded ceramics artist and educator, KV Jena has been an integral part of the vibrant art scene in India. He has shared his expertise and ideologies with numerous aspiring artists, including hosting workshops at the Ceramic Center. KV Jena’s ceramic artworks often reflect a deep exploration of nature, spirituality, and the richness of India’s traditional pottery heritage.
Nirmala Patwardhan was an eminent ceramic artist who has trained and worked internationally. She was an early consultant to the Center and is well-known for her landmark publication Handbook for Potters (with a second edition New Handbook for Potters), documenting her vast knowledge and innovation with glazes.
Rekha Rodwittiya is an accomplished artist whose creative journey has been deeply influenced by her time in Vadodara and association with the Baroda School. A former student at the Faculty of Fine Arts at MSU, her artwork explores themes of gender, identity, and personal narratives. She has gained global recognition for her contributions to contemporary art and has brought her distinctive style to ceramics in her work at the Center.
Rini Dhumal is a widely celebrated artist who has left a lasting impression on the artistic landscape of Vadodara and beyond. A leading member of the city’s vibrant art scene, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the world of contemporary art. Working with the Center, Dhumal’s artistic repertoire extended to ceramics, where she combined her whimsical imagery with the tactile medium.
Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad is widely known for his role as Maharaja of Baroda and patron of arts in the city. He was also a talented and imaginative artist, and worked alongside ceramists and students at the Ceramic Center. His passion for the arts has preserved the region’s cultural legacy and has left a lasting impact on its artistic heritage and community
KG Subramanyan, fondly known as Mani sir, was an eminent artist and educator whose impact on the art world, particularly in Vadodara, is immeasurable. He was a key figure in the Indian modernist movement, and was an influential teacher at the Faculty of Fine Arts, MSU, where his large murals still deck the halls and buildings. Mani sir brought his distinctive style to the medium of ceramics at the Ceramic Center, and participated in camps and group shows organised by the studio.
A pioneer of modern Indian art, Khakhar was born and raised in Vadodara. He taught at the Faculty of Fine Arts, MSU in Baroda and was a pivotal figure in the influential Baroda Group. Primarily a painter, Khakhar also worked in clay at the Center. He was one of the first painters to experience a residency at EKWC – The Ceramic Work Centre in the Netherlands, and returned to India with enthusiasm for the possibilities of the medium and a commitment to see similar facilities develop in Vadodara
Ira Chaudhari has been an early influence and advisor to the Center since its inception in the 90s. She has pioneered and developed her own unique techniques and visual language through her practice, much of which was spent working at the Center. Along with her husband Sankho Chaudhari, she has become a seminal figure in the field of contemporary ceramics and sculpture in India.
A noted printmaker and photographer, Jyoti Bhatt is known for his work in documenting the folk art traditions of India. He taught at the Faculty of Fine Arts at MS University in Vadodara and has been a constant source of support and chief documenter at early programs at the Center. Over the years he has brought his signature style of etching and image-making to the medium of clay, and his good humour has imbued every gathering at the Ceramic Center.
The Ceramic Center has seen a wealth of Jyotsna Bhatt’s quintessential sculptural forms come to life in its kilns. Along with her role as an educator and pillar of the ceramic community, she is well known for her smiling cats, wide-eyed birds and intricate pots that reimagine the possibilities of clay.
