Leela Chakravarti was studying and working in the world of marine biology for ten years, before moving to Devon and becoming a full-time potter. In this latest instalment of the ‘Inspired by the Coast’ series, where we talk to local artists about how their artwork has been inspired and shaped by the south west coastline, we talk to Leela Chakravarti about how she became a potter, and how her work takes on imagery and colours from the coastline around the world.
What inspires your artwork?
My environment and my background heavily influence my work. I studied Marine Biology in Plymouth and lived there for five years, exploring the minute details of the rocky shores of South Devon, watching the behaviour of crabs and snails and admiring anemones clinging to rocks. Later, I lived in Canada on the St. Lawrence estuary and then the tropics of Australia researching corals. After six years abroad and a big change in my career, I moved back to Devon as a Potter. A lot of my work reflects my coastal background, from luminaries with cut out fish shoals to coral-carved textures on vases and bowls.
Why is the South West Coast Path important to you?
The Coast Path crosses such diverse habitats from expansive stretches of sand dunes with wide sandy beaches to little, hidden bays with crystal clear water and steep tracks, covered in wildflowers. The marine biologist in me is at home where land meets sea and the artist in me is excited by the colours and textures of the coast. I love walking and I love snorkelling and the Coast Path opens up this world to me.
How do you select materials and colours for your pottery?
I use beach materials a lot in my work. I have fired pots resting on seashells that leave the most beautiful fossil-like marks (the spiny cockle shells from Teignmouth are my favourite). I spend hours obsessively searching for seaglass and I have jars filled with these little jewels in my studio and house. I place tiny pieces of the most common green seaglass on top of my handmade porcelain earrings, or round jewellery dishes. The glass melts in the kiln and reacts with my glaze to create magical pools of ocean-like colour.
The work that I am most proud of are my coastline pieces. Layers of glaze create a seascape on mugs, goblets, vases and more. Each is completely unique as I am unable to pour or dip glaze in exactly the same way and each firing produces slightly different results. Turquoise, inky blue-greens and rusty oranges make up my coastal-inspired glaze colours that I have developed over the years, using raw materials.
The Coast Path that winds its way along the south west offers endless adventure and for me that inspires creativity. I could spend a lifetime walking it and never get bored and I am looking forward to see how my style will naturally evolve as I explore more.
You can find Leela’s work at www.leelachakravarti.com or on Instagram (@leelapottery) and Facebook.
The South West Coast Path 