This Mumbai ceramic studio is located in a school building

A Blend of Both Worlds

For Jagad, her expertise in graphic design has a strong influence on her artistry in ceramics. Using basic shapes and taking those forms, she attempts to create something relevant. “Over time, I have gravitated towards a technique called Nerikomi that allows me to create patterns within the clay body rather than just the surface,” she explains.

Cats take centre stage in many of her works. Why is that? “I had never had pets or lived around cats. But it was during the pandemic that I fostered a kitten for three months. It was then that I studied cats so closely that they made their way into my sketches and illustrations. I took that forward into clay,” says Jagad.

She went on to make different prototypes that became a part of her bank of clay sculptures. Eventually, it evolved into a simple form where Jagad could play with the technical aspect and the surface of the piece. “That's how Block Cats was born. It is a clean and simple form of a cat. I keep making variations on the surface,” she shares.

Her sharp observation picked on the unique characteristics of cats, especially how each of them has a different coat. Interestingly, it aligned with the Nerikomi technique. “The technique also creates unique patterns. That's when I began exploring with spots, lines, and checks, eventually forming a collection with it.”

Being a graphic designer, digital work is her forte. At the same time, hands-on work is what gives her joy. “It's gratifying to make a piece come to life from a lump of clay. I've always wanted to work with tactile materials, clay just became a medium for that,” she points out.