We began Tour 2019 without the usual stresses. Manohar Lal and Asha Ram’s visas and then flights were confirmed with plenty of comfort time. This is usually not the case. Added to this, they travelled to Australia with my partner Peter, although this would be Manohar’s 7th trip to Australia negotiating the ever changing immigration and customs without english would be a little easier. Asha had also been to Australia in 2017 so we were all on familiar territory.

Manohar and Asha were ready to get to the studio early on their first morning in Australia (not jetlag for them) to survey the scene and prepare clay for making matka for our first workshop with Kaiela Arts https://kaielaarts.org.au/ and Go TAFE Shepparton.

This workshop was a great start to our month together. Ann Ferguson arrived and we all stepped onto familiar ground. The artists from Shepparton loved being in our bush studio and some could have spent their time admiring and collecting leaves, by the end of the day each artist had painted a matka and many had had a go on the wheel assisted by Asha Ram.

A return to ArtPLay is always enjoyable, the enthusiastic children and supportive Artplay staff make it an engaging and rewarding 2 days. Once again familiar ground.

The logistics of programming diverse activities to keep it vital for the Crosshatched team, minimizing expenses ( usually staying close to home,Tallarook) and maximizing income within a limited time frame, 4 weeks sometimes means we had big days, that was the case for Tuesday the 9th of April.

Illona and Colin of Mercator Ceramic School, https://www.mercatorceramicsschool.com.au Abbottsford Convent had generously offered their workshop space and managed bookings for two workshop sessions. A morning family session and afternoon session for individuals. For us it meant a very early start from Tallarook, the Hilux packed with wheels, clay, tools and 10 matka ( we had already left 10 there the previous week). We renewed friendships with some families who had previously done workshops and made new ones. The afternoon session was dynamic, enthusiastic participants decorating their matka and some having a go on the wheel assisted by Asha Ram. Manohar decorated a piece with traditional motifs, this is not something he usually does, it is usually the women of the family that do, but we got the idea that it is the rotating form and subtle movements of the loaded brush that dictate the outcome.

Sincere thanks to Illona and Colin for providing the space and bookings and Liz for the massive task of firing all these matka.

Next stop on Tuesday was Slowclay https://www.slowclay.com. Jane Sawyer, Sabrina Talarico and dedicated volunteer team had created an environment where we were re energised and ready for a dynamic few hours with an enthusiastic appreciative audience. Samosa, beer and chai and pots for sale added to the event.

Over previous days we had created a series of forms at various stages of ‘completeness’. Manohar and Asha were able to demonstrate the entire process of making matka (waterpots) and handi (cooking pots). This as well as viewing the Kumhaargram film created a brief but satisfying picture of the potters community and work. Preeti Sharoah filled out the story more fully with her sensitive interpreting.

There were many questions, the following I found interesting.

“Do you name your work”? Manohars response was, Would 10 mothers know their own children? Asha also didnt see the need to ‘name’ his work as he would be able to identify it. We name our work so others will identify the maker.

On leaving Slowclay Manohar spoke, “very good programme” he rarely uses english. Although there is always appreciation and awe for the skill these potters demonstrate the evening with a focus on their their skills was appreciated by Manohar and Asha

It had been a long day but the adrenaline drove us the hour and a half home.

for more images by Devena Fynmore
https://www.flickr.com/photos/deevaa/albums/72157690898534883

This tour was to have a focus on workshops in Tasmania. Manohar had seen lots of Victoria,( I dream of him seeing Sydney Harbour ) and a change of location meant new audiences for Crosshatched workshops.

To begin, the ferry trip was a first for us all and for them the first time on the sea. A visit to Devonport Regional Gallery to see Kelly Austin’s ‘Placing Things’ restored a sense of equilibrium.

We were delighted with the ‘airbnb home where we were to stay, the best feature, the big back yard and unbelievable, 2 very productive walnut trees. This is where I could find Manohar and Asha, even on cold mornings and with colds shelling walnuts to take home. We have found if we can prepare our own food all is well. Asha observed though, there would be no chapparti until we returned to Tallarook as there was only an electric stove. ( I was fine about that) .

Our first commitment was part of the annual Children’s Festival at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. It was two days of making lots of little pots in the forecourt of the museum. Ann Ferguson arrived on the Sunday afternoon, we were very happy to have her join the team again.

Moonah Arts Centre http://www.moonahartscentre.org.au/ workshops were dense and diverse. As it was the school holidays the workshops were fully booked and children enthusiatic. We facilitated 2 workshops a day, each child getting to team throw a little pots with either Manohar or Asha, paint a little bowl as well as contribute to the decorating of a large water pot. These were all to be fired and then exhibited in the window as part of the upcoming International Ceramic Trienniali, then returned to the maker.

The two evening events at MAC were designed for ceramic enthusiasts with the intent to showcase the craft and culture of traditional Rajasthani potters in an intimate setting. We used the successful Slowclay format. ( During the day Manohar and Asha made all the forms to enable the complete sequence of making matka and handi). The participants where engaged, curious and appreciative. The hightlight of these sessions was having Katrina Riese attend. She had travelled from Brisbane for this 2 hour session. She stated “she was drawn here by what she had seen on social media” she travelled home with a matka under her arm.

We had now finished our Hobart commitments. Manohar and Asha where keen to get home however I was happy that we had a few days ‘off’ before we could meet our return ferry. We were able to visit Serena Rosevear, whom the potters had previously met and then stay with a friend who lived on the Tamar Estuary. Manohar and Asha added to their take home gift collection with judicially chosen small tidal stones and shells. We were all happy.

To cover the costs of Manohar and Asha getting to Australia we had done a fundraiser by preselling matka and handi. This included the opportunity to paint your own matka in a facilitated workshop in our bush studio. It was now time to deliver on this. It was a gentle paced time for both the Crosshatched team and participants.

Our final commitment was to travel to Shepparton with a car full of partially made matka to Kaiela. These were to be completed at their art centre for members to then to paint. We had met Kawinda Singh, a Hindi speaker with Kaye Poulten’s group the week before. He was happy to come and interpret a conversation on creation stories and other conversations. On reflection this was a wonderful conclusion to our public face.

Our final full day was full, shopping for chocolate related gifts for children and op shops for toys then preparing the final batch of matka and handi for firing (pots in the sun to warm before going into the kiln) The firing started mid afternoon and finished in time for all to share a final family dinner.

The kiln is unpacked and Manohar and Asha pack their bags. The drive to the airport and goodbyes are not easy. I am sure they are happy to be heading home as I am to be returning to my other life but after a shared intense month, knowing we have been part of unique enriching experience for ourselves and participants to the Crosshatched world tears of gratitude are there.

This is not a full stop for me. I have handi and matka to deliver and a kiln of painted matka to fire. This gives me time to saviour and assimilate the previous 4 weeks. The time spent with Manohar Lal, Asha Ram Ann Ferguson and those we had met and worked with nourishes the soul.

Sandra Bowkett

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