Sarban Chowdhury

I explore forms, repetitions, time-worn textures, images and texts through clay. I see my work as a diary. It’s a place for me to write down the feelings I normally keep for myself. Everything that I observe and experience around me somehow seeps into my subconscious mind and eventually reflects in my work. I prefer to introspect, explore and analyze my own self which gives me an understanding of the human mind- its emotions, desires and complications. I am constantly searching for a fresh perspective and prefer to have an unconventional approach towards the medium. I endeavor to create a visual that is imbued with inherent enigma and evokes viewer’s interaction, a visual begging to be explored and examined in much the same way a child investigates the world with wonder, curiosity and also trepidation. It’s very important to arouse a sense of unease and encourage the viewer to consider carefully what they are seeing- at what is compelling them.

A ceramist, designer and educator with an experience of six years spanning around different sectors in the art, design & lifestyle industry.

Sarban has been invited to several art residencies and symposiums held across the country and abroad, including Centrum Ceramiki in Boleslawiec Poland 2018, 4th International wood fire Ceramic Symposium in Russia 2017, 8th Uronto Residential Art Exchange Program in Bangladesh 2019, Art Ichol in Maihar MP 2021, Art for Change Foundation in New Delhi 2020, Piramal Art Residency (collaborated with Nehru Science Centre) in Mumbai 2016, National Ceramic Camp by Lalit Kala Akademi 2018, The 4Tables Art Project in Gunehar HP 2019, Uttarayan Art Foundation in Vadodara 2016, Kala Sakshi Workshop in New Delhi 2015 etc. He was recently selected for a residency program at Taoxichuan Jingdezhen International ceramic studio in China 2022 and was shortlisted for the Indian Ceramics Triennal- British Ceramic Biennal exchange opportunity in 2021. He was one of the top ten emerging artists by MASH India supported by KHOJ in 2022.

He is also a recipient of prestigious awards and scholarships such as the National Scholarship to young artists by Ministry of Culture 2014-16, Prince Claus Fund Grant Amsterdam 2017, Prafulla Dahanukar Award(2017,2018,2019), Artdemic India Award by Gujral Foundation 2021, Honourable mention by Art for Change Foundation 2020, Bajaj Auto Ltd. Fellowship 2017, Percey Brown Award 2014 etc.

Sarban has exhibited at the 24th & 25th Festival of Ceramics in Boleslawiec Poland, Salone del mobile in Milan Italy(in collaboration), Ambiente in Frankfurt(in collaboration), “High fire” in Yaroslavl Russia, CIMA Awards Show, Emerging Palettes at Shrishti Gallery, Gen Next VIII at Aakriti Gallery, The India story, Annual & curated Exhibitions held at India International Centre, Gallerie Nvya, Harrington Street Arts Centre, Emami Chisel Gallery, Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Arts Acre Foundation, Bharat Bhavan, AIFACS, Weaver’s Studio etc.

He has lead workshops with Artreach India, Woodstock School Mussourie, Pathways School etc. He is a member of Artaxis based in New Albany, US and Centre of contemporary artists, Rome. Having featured by the Platform magazine, Design India, Elle decor, Arts Illustrated, Art Fervour, Punch magazine, Moralmoda magazine, MASH, India Today, Indian Express, TOI, Plener Ceramiczno among others, Sarban is building up his name as one of the leading emerging ceramists in the country. He had been earlier associated with Delhi Blue Pottery as a studio-in-charge and as an Assistant Professor at UID, Ahmedabad. Currently he works an Assistant Professor in Fashion & Lifestyle Accessories at NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) India.