Charan Sachar

"I spent a significant part of my life in India, where my mother ran a boutique designing clothes for brides and bridesmaids. The colors, fabrics, embroidery, and designs I came across then have a strong impact on my work. My work also reflects my love for Bollywood movies and life in India. "

Charan Sachar's work is inspired by the designs and colors of items made from fabric, such as handbags, pillows, skirts, and saris. He strives to give life to clay, decorating it with Indian influences while keeping functionality and uniqueness in mind. In 2011, Charan quit his full-time job of twelve years as a software engineer to pursue his passion in clay.

Sachar uses a combination of techniques such as extrusion, slab construction, and alteration to create his forms. Each piece is then decorated by hand with underglazes and slip for the textured feel of embroidered fabric. Pieces are fired to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit, making them durable and functional.

Charan Sachar started his journey in clay in a studio co-op in Tacoma, WA in 2000. Workshops from artists such as Peter King and Ginger Steele were a good foundation on hand building. Sachar then experimented with the extruder, making his own dies and exploring new forms. He taught himself a variety of surface decoration techniques to create the textured look of fabrics using his own handmade tools.