The MatiBani Story

The Artist

Hi! I am Tejal Mehendale, founder of MatiBani.

I am a full time professional potter working out of Pune, India. Through 'MatiBani' , I design and make functional wheel thrown pottery. I specialize in surface ornamentation techniques and enjoy exploring intricate designs,motifs & patterns. All my products are dishwasher and microwave safe, hence convenient to use. I exhibit and sell my work online and from my studio.

In 2018, I was the solo awardee of the prestigious UNESCO Fellowship for Crafts. I spent 4 months (April 2018- August 2018) as an apprentice with the Potter's Association in Saint Jean de Fos, France. I was fortunate to learn about traditional French pottery. I presented a research thesis on the traditional Herault Valley ceramics & the contemporisation of the craft. It was here where the urge and inspiration to become a full time professional potter in future was obtained.

2016-2018, I did my Master's in Craft Design -Ceramic Specialization from the Indian Institute of Crafts & Design , Jaipur, India. I spent these two years surrounded by traditional Indian artisans, handicrafts & culture. I worked on a product development project with a rural pottery cluster in Baswa, Rajasthan to help the artisan families sustain in the market. I did some design internships with pottery studios, NGO's & ceramic industries as part of the academia.

Work Experience

• UNESCO Fellow, Travelling to learn arts and crafts 2018, Saint-Jean-De-Fos, France.

• Design Intern, Seva Sahayog -Women's Empowerment Program NGO ,Pune.

• Design Intern, ADIPA stuio, Pune.

• Design Intern, Clay Craft India Pvt. Ltd , Jaipur.

• Designer,Product Development for rural pottery cluster, Baswa, Rajasthan.

Interviews/ Features