Creating beauty from ashes

She graduated with a degree in English and thereafter pursued Media studies. However Christine Gitau found an unlikely vocation that is now her passion. She poke to TRICIA WANJALA about her work.

1) How did you get into pottery design?

I got into it purely by chance. I had just decided that working in the Media was not for me. Someone — I still don’t know who — had given me a book on ceramic art a as gift. After studying it, it roused the passion for art in me and I decided to start a business with the Sh3,000 I had as capital. I bought pots worth Sh500 and paints worth Sh2,000 and began experimenting with designs.

2) How did the business grow?

Christine displays one of her ornate pots. [PHOTOS: COURTESY]

My friends saw the pots and were impressed. One of them challenged me to go for an exhibition at the German embassy. It was very successful. When I saw how well my work was received, I said to myself, "there’s a business here!"

3) Why Beauty for Ashes?

In the Bible, the book of Isaiah tells of a time when God would give his people beauty instead of ashes. After trying one too many career options, I really hoped that I would finally find my place, and wanted God to make a beautiful thing out of my ashes.

4) Why the pot?

There is no Kenyan community that does not know the pot. We use pots to cook or fetch water. The humble pot is an integral part of African life but it has been relegated to the store and smoky kitchens. We wanted to give it a modern definition — to make it funky.

5) How would you describe your style?

We are not shy on colour. We also give the pot several shapes and textures. Most of our work is commissioned and we are very strong on detail and on meeting the clients’ specifications.

6) What do you aim to accomplish through your work?

Our tag line is ‘get inspired.’ If one of my pieces does not inspire you then I have not done my work. It could be as simple as looking at a colour combination differently or learning a new way to use the pot.

Pottery and the act of moulding the clay is very therapeutic. As such I do workshops and fun days for children whereby I teach them how to decorate the pots and to enjoy themselves.

7) What does your work mean to you?

I have only done this for two years and I am completely self-taught, yet the company’s growth has been amazing. I purposefully prefer to keep it small and take it step by step, letting it grow organically of its own accord.

People like crafts specifically because the individual pieces are unique and are hand-made. This attention and detail beats a mass-produced EPZ-type operation any day. I’d like to preserve that.

For example, a client will come and say: "I have a friend who is going through a tough time because she lost her baby. Will you make her something?" So I will interpret the situation and try to create something soft and rounded to soothe her spirits. I have to choose colours that will encourage her, yet they cannot be too bold so that she feels like she has walked into a discotheque.

If it is for a wedding, I will place it in a special hessian bag to make sure it does not get scratched. If it is a candle-holder I will include a candle. With each piece we enclose a special note explaining the care of each piece as well as what it can and cannot do.

8) What does the future hold?

At the end of this month I have been invited to be one of the exhibitors participating in the International MakerFaire Show, at the University of Nairobi. Currently I outsource the pottery-making to two workshops in Eastleigh and Ngong Road, after which my team and I do the actual decorating of the pots. I am in the process of acquiring a large kiln from Europe that will enable me to double-glaze my pieces and thus expand their usability. Right now I am thoroughly enjoying my work.

I am so fulfilled. You know I sometimes work until 5am because I get so engrossed in my creations! I have definitely found my niche.