Pottery is the perfect tactile pastime, say fans, and a great stressbuster to the fast-paced world. Viki Shah experienced the power of touch at The Mudhouse studio and tells you all about it.
In these challenging times, it’s perhaps no surprise that crafts like quilting and pottery are booming – after all, they not only offer a way to slow down and be calm, but also allow one to be to be mindful, and in the now, due to the perseverance required.
My first experience of a pottery class at the Mudhouse Studio, (something which I have always wanted to do), was one of the most memorable experiences ever!
It all begins when we enter! The logo at the entrance is fascinating and as explained by Preeti Pawani, the owner, is inspired by the five basic elements – Earth, Water, Air, Fire & Space – that all come together in perfect unison in nature. It’s these elements which are essential in the process of making ceramics. The Earth as clay is shaped by Water and along with Air takes form, while Fire solidifies that form in the Space that surrounds us. It’s this harmony between the elements that create a healthy, ecological balance in nature and similarly, need to be in sync to create a balanced piece of ceramic.
We were initiated into our first encounter with the wheel and the best part about this whole process was a complete dis-engagement from the mobile phone! The messiness of working with wet or damp clay and the need to follow a process forced us to put our phones aside and it was a wonderful experience to slow down and focus on a single, absorbing activity in a totally mindful state for a change instead of being the multi-tasker that I usually pride myself to be!
When our lesson began the instructor introduced us to the wheel and the clay that we were supposed to use. This first step — centering the clay — is much harder than it sounds, requiring calm and concentration. Sitting in a relaxed state with calm steady breathing is very important.
Even if the clay is properly positioned when the wheel is stationary, a challenging task in itself, the flattened ball of clay can easily begin a wild wobble once the wheel begins its spin. The foot pedal, if not used properly, can mess things up. You need to manage it with your foot, without looking down, then apply exactly the right pressure for the wheel to move while you mould the clay, removing all the air from it.
Then began the task of drilling in the centre of the clay to open it up, pressing the mound down beneath my palms, squeezing it up from the sides with my hands, while opening the top with my thumbs at the same time and then widening that opening, as tricky to do as it sounds here while you read it!
This is followed by the process of pulling the walls to make the opening deep and give it depth, the most difficult one for me, where I ended up with a broken mess and had to start all over again!
Like a balancing pose in yoga, pottery gives you the opportunity to exit your body and enter your busy mind, and you will likely totter and fall; you will even try to pummel and bully the clay to do your bidding but if not done in complete stillness and mindfulness, it turns into a mis-shaped missile that flies all over the place rather than a bowl or whatever it is that you are trying to make! Breathe calmly and get the endorphins flowing to get that done well.
Pottery requires practitioners to set aside time, follow a procedure and preset techniques, making for a slow, soothing experience. It is grounding and very humble and takes you in a meditative state while you do it.
Once you see it shaping up, it gives you that urge to create something satisfyingly functional. The lockdowns have spurred on the revival of crafts, with people able to appreciate images and videos of them on social media. Pottery is a perfect medium to express one’s imagination and incorporates physical, textural and cerebral activities in a slow and soothing manner!
Lo and behold! My bowl was ready on the wheel and had to go into the kiln to get fired but unfortunately for us, since it was an introductory class we did not get to do that but I am definitely coming back to make and take one of my creations home!
https://www.themudhousestudio.com
The Mudhouse Studio is a lovely facility with all that you need to begin your journey with clay. There are various membership options available, so whether you are a beginner or an expert, they have it all! They also have hand moulding classes for those who do not want to use the pottery wheel. There is a lovely member’s lounge upstairs that is like a zen space for you to sit and have a nibble or that cuppa while you are with yourself in a mindful state. There are lovely clay offering available for you to buy as well.