Shalan Dere
Being a self-taught artist, Shalan Dere has developed an aesthetic identity entirely her own. Clay, a very flexible medium, allows her to explore unconscious free association. Her inspirations come from nature, people and daily life. Representation of the female body is recurrent in her recent work and she passionately explores it in all its forms: faces, busts, fragments. The narrative or denouement is not always attributed or even essential for her works. She encloses the body of her subjects in abstract contemporary structures, diagonals, verticals, always diverted from traditional representations of the genre. She plays on naturalistic and muted aesthetics, founded on structured contemporary forms.
Having started with mere elementary lessons in wheel throwing, Shalan Dere’s practice now spans diverse ceramic explorations. With respect to form, she has acquired exceptional mastery in hand built utilitarian objects, naturalistic art objects and figurative sculptures. Chiefly working in stoneware (cone 6), she often experiments with alternate firing techniques, delivering extraordinary outcomes.
Shalan Dere believes that her “Dialogue with Clay” has led to the creation of her masterpieces. “Just as I am shaping clay, it’s shaping me somewhere from inside” is one of her powerful statements! Creating ceramics for over two decades, she has widely exhibited across India and done several commissioned works. She lives and works from her studio in Mumbai, India as well as Richmond, Virginia
Website: theurbankiln.com
Instagram: @theurbankiln_ceramics
Facebook: @theurbankiln
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Solo Shows
‘Stillness in Motion’ at Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai, 2014
'Ceramic Dimensions: A Dialogue in Clay’ at Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai, 2013
India Art Festival, Mumbai 2012 -
Group Shows
‘Contemporary Lines’ at Jahangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, 2018
‘Search Within’ at Renaissance Art Gallery. Pune 2017
‘Just an Illusion’ at Juneja Art Gallery, Jaipur 2018
‘Mrittika3’ at Bharat Bhuvan. Bhopal 2015
‘Tiles and Tiles…’ Delhi Blue Pottery, Delhi 2012 - Annual Events
Cerafest, CSVMS Museum, Mumbai 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Kala Ghoda Festival Potters Market, Mumbai 2008. 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018,2019
Bandra Potters Market, Mumbai 2015, 2016 and 2017, 2018,209
Potters Market, Bhopal 2015, 2018
Clay Stories, Kolkata 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017
Clay Chakra, Mumbai 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012
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Residences
Kasen Pottery Studio, Seto, Japan – 2 month residential program studying the ancient art of Japanese pottery making techniques under 7th generation Ceramic Artist and Potter – Mr. Hiroshige Kato
- Commissioned Projects
Designed Murals from 50-120 sq ft for residential swimming pools and hotels and small murals for kitchens
- Awards
Honorary Mention for Ceramic Bench Sculpture – Crossroads Art Gallery, Richmond, VA, 2020
