Pygmy pottery and it’s soothing allure
National School of Design alumnus, Lakshmi KV has a unique predilection for miniature pottery. Inspired by works of artist Jon Almeda she has been creating the assortments of tiny ceramics in her studio cum living room in Bengaluru which is redolent of earthly scent.
Miniaturism is getting huge popularity these days in the art market, literature, films, and online.The allure of little things is irresistible. A living room full of tiny moulded cups, mugs, bowls and plates is sure to hold one’s unreserved attention.
A miniature water jug measuring one-and-a-half centimetres tall and weighing five grams was the first piece created by Lakhmi which came out well in the first attempt that it gave her the confidence to try miniature planters, cups and plates. She began to post photographs of her creations online and as word spread she started to get orders.
Most of her clients are miniature art collectors or people who just find them cute. Calling her quest the Pocket Size Project. So far she has done about 150 of such items.
It takes Lakshmi one week to make a piece. Once the clay is moulded, it has to be dried before being put in a kiln at 800 degree Celsius. This makes the piece stronger. It is then glazed — a process of fusing the ceramic with a layer of glass— to make it shiny and waterproof..
It may be the fascination of holding the miniature art that imitates life in our hands, something completely realised at an impossibly reduced scale is a wholly fulfilling one. The satisfaction of inquisitive observation is what draws people towards tiny things.