By Alesha Capone
Point Cook artist Nandita Nadkarni has loved pottery since she first set foot inside a ceramics studio.
Nandita said that while growing up in India, she always knew she wanted to attend art college.
Upon commencing her studies, she and her fellow students were taught several creative fields including metalwork, drawing and sculpture.
However, Nandita said that “something just clicked” when she walked into the pottery studio.
“I was just happy, it felt right and I didn’t mind getting my hands dirty,” she said.
She later received a national scholarship to study in New Delhi, which culminated in her first solo show.
Now living in Wyndham, Nandita teaches pottery to beginner and intermediate students at the Saltwater Art Studio in Point Cook and her home studio.
Nandita said patience and perseverance were important aspects of her craft.
“Pottery is quite a big challenge, I’m not saying anything else is simple, but there are so many elements,” she said.
This includes preparing clay to go on the pottery wheel, making the piece, have to wait for it to dry, firing it and then applying colours and glazes, or designs and carving.
Nandita said she was working to raise the profile of pottery in the western suburbs.
“I absolutely do love teaching and imparting my knowledge,” she said.
She also sells her ceramic creations at markets including the Piccadilly Market in Belmont, Tribeca Village market Point Cook and the Hanging Rock market.
Nandita’s term three classes will start at the Saltwater Art Studio this month: www.potteryescape.com/ or www.nanditaceramics.com/
