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Kalapremi Ceramic Studio, more than just a studio

Rishita Khatri “Some artists are born with this creativity but I don’t count myself one of them. I came here, that's why I learned"


Nepalnews
2021 Nov 19, 6:57, Kathmandu


35 years ago, Gopal Kalapremi Shrestha founded Kalapremi Ceramic Studio, a collection of all artistic work done and collected by him. “This studio consists of artworks by different artists around the world", he says. "I bought some of these artworks from the artist themselves. "Sometimes we also exchange each other's arts", he added. 
Shrestha believes that it is really important to preserve these arts to show our upcoming generation about their importance.

Kalapremi Ceramic Studio is also a training ground for the new generation of ceramics. "We aren’t registered as a training center yet. But I want to teach young enthusiasts what I know and what I learned. Currently, there are around 12 students. Some of them are learning about colours while some are learning pottery", he says.

Gopal Kalapremi Shrestha was also the founder of Gokem Art Ceramic Studio for Research & Development of Ceramic and Nepali Terracotta Technique (1985) and also a team leader and founder of The Ceramic Art Revolution in Nepal (2000).

Gopal Kalapremi Shrestha teaching his student in Kalapremi Ceramic Studio. Photo: Prasan Gurung/Nepalnews
Gopal Kalapremi Shrestha teaching his student in Kalapremi Ceramic Studio. Photo: Prasan Gurung/Nepalnews
Artist making a Raku ware in Kalapremi Ceramic Studio. Photo: Prasan Gurung/Nepalnews
Artist making a Raku ware in Kalapremi Ceramic Studio. Photo: Prasan Gurung/Nepalnews
Artist repairing a broken broken Pot.
Artist repairing a broken broken Pot.

Rishita Khatri, studying in Srijana College of Fine Art, is a student of Gopal Kalapremi Shrestha. She has been learning at the studio for six years. “I have been learning different skills here like pottery, sculpture, firing pots, etc", she says.

Reminiscing about her early days, she said, “My house is right opposite to this studio. When I was just a kid, I always used to see lots of people of different age groups coming to learn pottery and sculpture-making in the studio." During that time, Shrestha was a teacher at Bhanubhakta Memorial School. He used to teach younger people in his studio after work. "Firing pots always kept me interested and I always wondered about how it works,'' she added. 

Rishita Khatri, student of Gopal Kalapremi Shrestha and also Ceramic artist. Photo: Prasan Gurung/Nepalnews
Rishita Khatri, student of Gopal Kalapremi Shrestha and also Ceramic artist. Photo: Prasan Gurung/Nepalnews

Khatri said, “During my school days, there used to be school projects and I used to ask for mud with Gopal sir. I used to make clay pots in my home with my own techniques”. After SLC Khatri joined the studio and started to learn from Shrestha. She says she felt lost as it was all very new for her. "Later as days passed, sir taught me everything why and how it’s done. Sir also used to conduct workshops in different schools where he used to take me with him", she adds.

Realizing that things which are learned shouldn’t be wasted, Khatri joined Bachelors in Srijana College of Fine Arts. She is currently continuing her studies and also working for Kalapremi Ceramic studio. 

Dhaka and cups. 
Art by Rishita Khatri
Dhaka and cups. Art by Rishita Khatri
Ell (Kind of Fish). Art by Rishita Khatri
Ell (Kind of Fish). Art by Rishita Khatri

Summarizing her journey, Khatri said, “Some artists are born with this creativity but I don’t count myself one of them. I came here, that's why I learned. I would say Gopal sir actually gave birth to me as an artist. The way he explains every single detail has helped me to explore even more.”

As for her future plans, Khatri plans to combine her skills and create something unique with it. “I have learned pottery in this studio and I’m studying about colours in my bachelors. In the coming days, I want to combine these two skills and do something with them. I will also keep on continuing teaching pottery to others", she added. 

READ ALSO:

Kathmandu Rishita Khatri Gopal Kalapremi Studio Gopal Das Kalapremi Shrestha Kalapremi Ceramic Studio Nepali in arts Nepal art Ceramic Nepal pottery
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