Nirmala Sharma
Born in 1945 in Modi Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Nirmala Sharma is a self-taught ceramic artist whose work explores the meditative beauty and intricate geometry of jalis—traditional latticed screens that filter light and shadow. Drawn to the tactile and expressive nature of clay, she transforms this ancient architectural motif into contemporary sculptural forms.

A former teacher by profession, Sharma completed her M.A. in Economics and B.T. before serving in the Central School system. After retirement, she dedicated herself entirely to ceramics, discovering in it a language through which she could express texture, touch, and poetry. Her creations often bear inscriptions of her own verses, infusing each piece with a deeply personal resonance.

Nirmala believes that the touch of the hand should remain visible in every work, preserving the artist’s presence long after the creation is complete. Her ceramic jalis celebrate both fragility and strength, merging craftsmanship with emotion.

She has exhibited widely across India, including:

• Solo and group shows in Bhopal (1989, 2003–2006)

• Delhi (1996, 2003–2005)

• Khajuraho Dance Festival (1996)

• Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai (2001)

• Museum Gallery, Mumbai (2004)

• Balgandharva Art Gallery, Pune (2002, 2004, 2008, 2009)

• International Terracotta Show, Delhi Blue Gallery (2009)

She has also participated in several group exhibitions in Bhopal. Nirmala Sharma continues to live and work in Bhopal, where she creates her distinctive ceramic and sculptural works that blend tradition, texture, and introspection.