Anuja Bhuta: artist statement

When I was a child I had a chest at the foot of my bed filled with various crafts I played around with. I’d dive into a project, picking up some new skill pretty rapidly, then either finish, or just move on for a while. I grew quite a collection of bits and pieces that I sometimes found ways of putting together, or abandoned completely forever. 

My journey into clay wasn’t much different at first. It started with me as a little kid in my bedroom with a small children’s battery operated tabletop pottery wheel. I could never quite figure that one out on my own, so I put it away never to be seen again. 

Fast forward some 30 years later when I was visiting the Cotter family on their beautiful farm near Kansas City. I asked my talented artist friend, Momoko Usami for a pottery lesson and she happily provided an afternoon of hand building guidance in her spacious basement studio. I fell in love with the process in that moment.

As soon as I returned home I signed up for a class with  an instructor who I followed around like a puppy dog for the next two years- Rachel Steiner. She had (still has) the perfect attitude and energy that I needed in a teacher and mentor. I hung on every nudge and encouragement and praise she offered. Her influence began to show quite quickly. I then followed her advice to  also learn from another instructor, Hue Yang and I continued to grow from there. These three talented, kind, patient artists helped to form my base relationship with clay which has allowed me the freedom to explore new ideas and play with possibilities with abandon. 

I’ve dabbled in fiber arts like hand spinning, crochet, knitting, and weaving. Thrown together quilts I’ve used for decades and others that will stay in my family for decades more. My mind is challenged at the same time my heart is soothed when I sit down at the piano or some instrument I feel like exploring. I show up to picnics carrying hand made hula hoops wrapped in every variety of tapes I can find.

My paintings are rarely thought out and end up a reflection of moods layered upon one another. Carving tiny little wooden spoons to go with my jars makes them that much sweeter. What has stuck around the most consistently is my work with clay. 

I find the process of sitting at the wheel to be meditative and healing. I’m soothed by the feel of creating something functional with my hands that  will then feel special in someone else’s hands. Often times it’s the mistakes and imperfections that turn into my most coveted pieces. 

Raised in Northern California, Anuja has enjoyed many careers from Stage Management to Certified Massage Therapy, Baker and Cheese Monger. In that time, she’s learned she’s happiest at the pottery wheel and her love for ceramics grows each day. Her studio is in Berkeley, California.

Contact 

email: anuja.ceramics@icloud.com

instagram:  anuja.ceramics

Shop

See all of my latest work for sale on my Etsy store, Anuja Bhuta Ceramics.