Kavita is an alumnus of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and The National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. She is the co-founder of Ochre Ceramics and Pottery. In her 28 years of working as a ceramist, Kavita’s works have been displayed on various national and international platforms, including Serendipity Arts Festival, Goa, Ceramic Congress, Indian Ceramics Triennale among others.

As a ceramic artist specialising in the Nerikomi technique for over 12 years now, Kavita’s work stands as a testament to the fusion between different elements of culture and techniques. The meticulous, laborious and deliberate layering of diverse clay shades and textures creates numerous patterns and possibilities, becoming her language of expression.

Artist Statement

'I have been working with the Nerikomi technique for the past ten years. What began as an interest in a method of pattern-making in clay has gradually become a language through which I express myself.

Over time, Nerikomi has grown into something intensely personal—a way to communicate my thoughts, emotions, and memories that are often difficult for me to articulate in words. Within the vast creative possibilities that Nerikomi offers, I choose to focus on the basic elements of lines and dots. This self-imposed restraint helps me stay rooted in simplicity and allows me to explore subtle variations in form and rhythm that the technique brings.

While these elements can sometimes feel limiting, they also push me to work in an embryonic, minimal style—one that encourages detailed observation of complicated patterns and forms. I’ve realised that this simplicity doesn’t take away from expression; rather, it allows different viewers to find their own connections and experiences within the work.

Reflecting on my practice, I often find traces of traditional crafts—pottery, handlooms, folk illustration—woven into my visual language. Much of my artistic sensibility has been shaped by my long involvement in the craft sector and my ongoing experiments with materials. These experiences laid the foundation for my personal visual vocabulary—one that I now continue to build on through clay.

My forms and patterns are inspired by familiar yet timeless motifs: mundane characters, everyday stories, and visual textures drawn from my surroundings. These are often the same elements I’ve seen repeated and reimagined across generations in communities that sustain rich craft traditions.

Living and working closely with artisans for 27 years has given me a deep appreciation for how simplicity, repetition, and variation can hold meaning in multiple ways across different contexts.

Nature, too, has been a constant presence in my life. I’ve lived amidst greenery for as long as I can remember, and that closeness to the natural world continues to be my greatest inspiration. I began my Nerikomi journey with birds, drawn to their form and movement, but the possibilities in nature are endless. I continue to respond to what I see around me—shifting seasons, falling leaves, moving insects—and bring those into my work.

What keeps this practice exciting for me is the ongoing process of suspense that the material and technique bring with it. Even with simple patterns, the work never feels repetitive. There’s a quiet sense of joy in evolving a form, in discovering something new within the familiar.

Nerikomi gives me space to reflect, to be present, and to keep growing—both as a maker and as an observer.

Studio Space & Environment

The Slow Pottery studio is situated in Velanga Orchard, surrounded by mango trees. Our focus on natural light and airflow creates a minimal, inspiring space for our students. The local Kerala tile roof and glass tiles provide shade and brightness, even in the hottest months.

Maximum number of students per batch 9

Studio Hours & Materials

All days 10:30am to 5:00pm (workshop time)
Additional studio access from 5:00pm to 8pm

All materials will be provided

Studio facilities

We have an electric wheel for each student, one electric kiln, a small kitchenette with unlimited freshly ground coffee, plenty wedging tables to spread wide with projects along with a restful chai spot to catch a break during long work hours. Ample shelves, stoneware clay, all materials required for each intensive is a given.

Hoping the studio fosters inspiring intensives and nurtures a space where creativity, ideas, and positive energy flourish.

Farm Stay & Accommodation - Velanga Orchard

Velanga Orchard is located in Andhra Pradesh in a village known as Jambuneradipalli, a mango orchard, skirting a reserve forest at the foot of a hill with a couple of lakes nearby. Surrounded by shrub forests endowed with over a 100 species of birds and animals.

Here's a guide to staying at our farm.

The Stay

- We have individual cottages for single occupancy, a shared accommodation for double occupancy.

- The cottages are built using vernacular design, local material and vintage aesthetics. The space is surrounded by neem, coconut, teak trees, under the canopies of mango trees, with the hill at the back and lush green all around.

Single Occupancy Private Cottage

Living space: Single bed with a side table, a study table and chair, Storage space for your belongings, with some décor elements. 

Kitchenette: Kettle, hot plate, basic utensils, mini fridge, a clay water dispenser, basic cutlery.

Private bath & small patio

No air conditioners

Our common space for students has a laundry room for DIY Laundry, a dining where all meals including evening snacks will be provided, all day coffee & tea stations, a hang out space, library/study.

*The design of furniture varies in all cottages. 

Double Occupancy Shared Cottage

Living space: Two Single beds with a side table, a study table and chair, two storage space for your belongings, with some décor elements. 

Kitchenette: Kettle, hot plate, basic utensils, mini fridge, a clay water dispenser, basic cutlery.

Attached bath & small patio for two.

No air conditioners

Our common space for students has a laundry room for DIY Laundry, a dining where all meals including evening snacks will be provided, all day coffee & tea stations, a hang out space, library/study.

Here's a guide to staying at our farm.

Fees 

Inclusive of the course, firings, materials & tools, studio time, valuable time with guest teacher, stay, wholesome home cooked meals and snacks, farm activities, tax for the entire duration of the course.

Double Occupancy Shared Cottage - Rs.73,500/-

Single Occupancy Private Cottage - Rs.84,000/

To Book an Intensive

Please email me at hello@slowpottery.com with your name, intensive you'd like to book, accommodation preference and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

For payment, you can either pay the full amount, or If you'd like to pay in two instalments, we take 50% to book your slot and 50% to be paid two months before the course starts.

Cancellation Policy is mentioned below.

Note - If you'd like to sign up for two or three consecutive intensives you can stay with us at no extra cost during the break of three days. The Studio will be closed in preparations for the next intensive.