Raku Firing Workshop explores Contemporary Dialogue of Clay and Fire
Lucknow: A nine-day Raku Firing Workshop at Clay N Fire Studio, Jankipuram, concluded with an exhibition showcasing artworks created using the traditional Raku technique. The workshop focused on exploring new dimensions of clay art through technique, philosophy and artistic dialogue.
Guest Bhupendra Kumar Asthana, while reviewing the exhibition, said such workshops are not limited to art creation alone but also play a crucial role in documentation, knowledge exchange and future artistic discourse. He noted that artist-led studios emerging in Lucknow are a positive sign for the city and the state’s art ecosystem.
The workshop was jointly organised by Clay N Fire Studio, founded by senior ceramic artist Prem Shankar Prasad, and Arc Studio, founded by ceramic artist Vishal Gupta, both alumni of Lucknow College of Art. Participants received hands-on training in kiln operation, glazing methods and post-firing reduction processes.
Artists and students from four states participated, gaining practical insight into the unpredictable yet aesthetic beauty of the centuries-old Japanese Raku tradition.
The concluding exhibition drew art enthusiasts, students and fellow practitioners, sparking conversations on contemporary interpretations of Raku and its relevance in modern ceramic practice. Many participants described the workshop as an immersive learning experience that encouraged experimentation, risk-taking and collaborative learning. Organisers said the initiative aimed to strengthen Lucknow’s growing ceramics community by providing advanced technical exposure and a platform for creative exchange, while fostering sustained dialogue between emerging artists and experienced practitioners.
