FIRE & FORM Brings Keshari Nandan’s Three-Decade Ceramic Journey to Triveni Kala Sangam

Ceramic artist Keshari Nandan will present his latest solo exhibition, FIRE & FORM, at Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, with a preview on 11 August 2026 at 5:30 p.m. and a public opening from 12 August. Curated by art writer and curator Uma Nair and presented by 108 Art Projects, the exhibition will remain on view until 18 August 2026. Bringing together more than thirty recent stoneware works, the exhibition examines over thirty-five years of the artist’s engagement with clay, material, and firing techniques.

A Practice Rooted in Clay and Fire

Working from his atelier in Bhainslana, Rajasthan, Keshari has developed a ceramic practice that spans functional pottery, architectural ceramics and contemporary stoneware sculpture. His work integrates every stage of ceramic production—from preparing clay bodies and developing mineral glazes to kiln construction and atmospheric firing—into the artistic process. Rather than treating firing as a technical stage, the artist considers the kiln and fire as active collaborators that influence the final outcome of each work.

The exhibition features vessels, platters, sculptural forms and a monumental stoneware work inspired by the landscapes and cultural memory of Rajasthan. Together, these works explore the relationship between utility, craftsmanship and sculptural expression.

Exhibition Highlights

• More than 30 recent stoneware works
• Functional pottery alongside sculptural ceramics
• Monumental ceramic installation inspired by Rajasthan
• Exploration of clay, glazes and atmospheric firing
• Curated by Uma Nair

International Recognition

In recent years, Keshari’s work has received increasing international visibility. His ceramics were included in “Multiple Realities: Voices in Contemporary Indian Ceramics” at the ClayArch Gimhae Museum in South Korea in 2024 and in the Latvia Ceramics Biennale at the Rothko Museum. He has also received both the National Award and the President’s Award for his contribution to Indian studio ceramics.

The exhibition catalogue also features a foreword by ceramic curator Kristine Michael, while sculptor P.R. Daroz and the late sculptor Himmat Shah acknowledge Keshari’s technical expertise and sustained experimentation with clay and glazing techniques.

Curatorial Perspective

According to curator Uma Nair, Keshari’s work demonstrates an understanding of transformation through material, process and time. The exhibition positions ceramics not merely as craft but as a contemporary artistic language capable of moving between intimate functional objects and monumental sculptural forms. This approach reflects broader discussions within contemporary art, where material knowledge and handmade processes are receiving renewed attention.

About the Organiser

The exhibition is presented by 108 Art Projects, an independent arts initiative founded by collector and advisor Tarun Khanna. The organisation develops exhibitions, publications and artist legacy projects centred on significant figures in modern and contemporary Indian art. Its previous projects have included exhibitions featuring artists such as M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, Manu Parekh, Madhvi Parekh, Somnath Hore and Mrinalini Mukherjee.

Visitor Information

Conclusion

FIRE & FORM offers visitors an opportunity to engage with the evolving language of contemporary Indian ceramics through the work of an artist who has dedicated more than three decades to the medium. By bringing together functional pottery, architectural ceramics and sculptural forms, the exhibition highlights the continuing relevance of clay within contemporary art while encouraging a deeper appreciation of craftsmanship, material knowledge and the transformative role of fire in artistic practice.