#InConversationwith Shalu Juneja

 My journey as an artist began at Stella Maris College, Chennai, where I graduated with a degree in Fine Arts, carrying with me the simple ambition of becoming an artist. Marriage brought me to Ahmedabad, a city with a close-knit art community where finding my own place as a young outsider was both exciting and challenging. In my early years, I organized self-funded exhibitions, one of which—a series on Ganesha—was completely sold out. It was an encouraging beginning and gave me confidence that I had chosen the right path. But life soon shifted its priorities. Raising two young sons became my greatest creative commitment, and for many years my own practice quietly took a back seat.

Teaching entered my life entirely by chance when two students asked for help preparing their design portfolios. What began as a small request grew into a vocation. Working alongside young, inquisitive minds challenged me to keep learning, questioning and evolving my own practice.

 As educators, we also believed that teaching can only remain meaningful if one continues to practice. That conviction brought me back to my own work with renewed purpose. The emergence of social media marked yet another turning point in my career. It dissolved many of the geographical and institutional barriers that artists once faced, allowing my work to travel far beyond the confines of my city. For the first time, I could share my evolving practice directly with a global audience, connecting with collectors, galleries, fellow artists and students without intermediaries. It also gave me the freedom to embrace the many facets of my creative identity—as an artist, educator, ceramic practitioner, designer and mentor—without feeling confined to a single role. Equally important, social media opened a window into the vibrant creative community around me. I found myself inspired by the work of artists, designers and makers from Ahmedabad and beyond, becoming part of a larger conversation that celebrated experimentation, collaboration and contemporary craft. What had once felt like an isolated journey gradually became one of connection, exchange and continual growth.

 Nature remains my greatest teacher. I find inspiration in patterns that evolve over time—the slow erosion of stone, weathered walls, organic growth, shifting landscapes and microscopic textures. These observations become layered abstractions that invite viewers to look beyond the surface and discover traces of what once existed. Working with clay is a natural extension of this exploration. 

As a self-taught studio potter, I work primarily in stoneware, where form and surface become inseparable. Whether through sculptural vessels, murals or ceramic objects, I approach clay with the same sensibility that guides my paintings—building layers, embracing imperfections and allowing process to shape the final work. Increasingly, my ceramics draw from Indian visual traditions, reinterpreting familiar motifs through a contemporary lens while retaining the tactile honesty of handmade objects.