This research project aims to investigate and understand the present attitudes towards the artisanal craft pottery in Kutch, India, some of which is in decline, and to sensitively re-design the products to create new market opportunities globally as well as within the emerging affluent markets in the host country.

In India there is a vast amount of undiscovered craft tradition that can be researched, evaluated, re-launched, and made relevant to present times. Throwing pots on a wheel, for example, the ubiquitous craft pottery process, can be used for producing shapes that cannot be easily copied by the larger ‘conventional’ pottery manufacturers.

The research proposes to divide current modes of production into categories, and address these production processes by improving the materials and decorating processes, thereby reinvigorating the products. Importantly, the aim is to develop design/manufacturing strategies to create a sound model that could be followed in other developing countries.

With a sensitive approach, and importantly an ethical dimension, the study will investigate and include: A brief survey of the rich history of artisanal pottery in the Indian sub-continent through the study of museum collections and the study of past and present productions and projects/case studies; Field work – understanding the cultural sensitivities, through the socio-economic issues that affect the craft, material preparation, production and consumption and the assessment of local perceptions of craft and small industrial activity; a survey of similar ventures on pottery or other mature crafts undertaken in the past (within India and internationally on Indian craft) as a comparison and apply these to develop successfully sustainable and ethical projects (that are based in fact but set in reality); an analysis of: the quality of these objects and their design; how are they regarded/valued locally and, likewise, in international markets?

This will include an attempt to discover, to what degree, have the markets for these objects declined and to do this I will be gauging reactions from buyers and retailers to these objects. The project forms a personal and practical exploration of the relevant ceramic techniques and the development of functional products/projects using these existing or developing ceramic processes.