EXHIBITOR FOCUS:
ANA HABERMAN
Ana Haberman is an artist that defies the constraints and limitations of studio space, her work organically flows between the inside and the outside worlds. transports the viewer in the lap of nature. For her, the act of physically moulding clay teaches her control, helps in grounding oneself and brings her closer to nature. The laborious process of moulding clay and experimenting with its different forms connects her directly with her visceral feelings. For an artist to be able to unravel these visceral feelings and translate them into physicality is a gift that not many possess.
Working with clay grounds me, it brings my mind to earth, I use very basic ancient techniques to make contemporary ceramic objects. I want them to be functional but also objects in themselves. My ceramic collection is inspired from everyday life and just for a moment will take you to nature. To their playful shapes and colours.
~ Ana Haberman
Though Haberman enjoys creating objects that are utilitarian, she also takes great pleasure in experimenting with different forms, as each form represents its own unique identity. For her creation is not finding uniformity among all her objects but rather the beautiful play between the process of moulding the clay with hands, baking the clay objects at high temperature and waiting with enthused curiosity for the end result of her creation. As she has beautifully worded it.
“I like the idea that my main tools are my hands. Most of all I enjoy the slow contemplative process of hand-working and I love to see traces of that process, like marks and fingerprints in the final pieces. I am always enthusiastic and curious about the results because no matter how much you try, how much effort you put into making a “perfect” form with hands after clay meets high temperatures there will be some imperfections. And sometimes they occur in a finely balanced way where I find the beauty.”
The process of moulding the clay with bare hands is known as the pinching technique. Haberman uses this technique for producing her beautiful and unique ceramic objects. Historically this technique can be dated back to 2500 B.C, spread across several regions and practices in many cultures for instance, Mexican, Hispanic, South Asian amongst the few. Many scholars attribute its origin to India and China. In China, it is believed to have existed for more than 17,000 years.
Artists like Haberman have been successful in continuing this age-old traditional practice of pinching that relates to both contemporary needs as well as aesthetics. Her work brings a special dimension to Cluster Crafts, in terms of her creative artistic sensibilities. Most of her ceramic creations are known by her brand name Tri Lukne. “Tri Lukne ceramic is designed for individuals who know how to take time for themselves and enjoy the simplicity of the moment. Each piece is unique and handmade with pinching technique. Material stoneware gives the pieces strength and a sense of grounding, while thin pinched dishes raise sensitivity.”
Thank you for reading,
Aditi Kumar & Cluster Team.