Artist's Bio

I was born and raised in New Delhi, India where I spent the first 22 years of my life. In 1996 I graduated from Delhi University with a BA in Psychology. Though I hadn't really worked with clay up to that point, I had always been fascinated by the art of throwing pots. Whenever I got the chance I used to watch the local artisans working on the wheel. It was so enthralling to see them skillfully spin their wheels with a stick while deftly throwing a lump of clay into a graceful pot. I knew I wanted to try it. So in 1997 I went to a local potter who had a roadside workshop and asked him if I could experience it. He was too busy so he delegated his nine-year-old son to indulge me. We sat by the busy street and the little boy centered a lump of clay on the wheel for me to play with. A crowd gathered around to watch us.but the joy of wet clay slipping through my fingers was so overwhelming it just took me into a different realm.I knew I was hooked.

Shortly after that I moved to the US to join my husband in Atlanta, Georgia. There, I got the opportunity to learn pottery at the Callanwolde Fine arts center, which is known for it's pottery program. Under the direction of Glenn Dair, I became completely immersed in the joy of making pots and spent the next five years learning the subtleties of throwing on the wheel.

In 2003 my husband's job change brought us to Round Rock TX, a suburb of Austin. After a few months I established my home studio and I have been working from there ever since.

Shikha Joshi