Terres Marronnes by Shakti Callikan, is a wild reminder to reconnect to our land.

Terres Marronnes dusts off the upper surface of our worldly life. It's an invitation to reconnect with our soil. Its existence is often overlooked. Terres Marronnes is a beautiful reminder that what lies underneath our feet goes far beyond its use.

Our land has witnessed more than we will ever do. Shakti Callikan moulds these memories into shapes. It's our turn to shape our experience. That's what I'm doing through this letter one year later.

This space was the perfect host for showcasing soil in its purest form.

The objects were all laid down at eye level depending on the angles. The aesthetic of this amphitheatre at The Institut français de Maurice (IFM) contributed to the magic of the expo. Each piece was gathered so beautifully. They were in groups and each one held a story. We saw these stories through a written synopsis.

Shakti turned wild clay into unique objects: bowls, plates, cups and vases. So, she went on adventures to collect some samples. She befriended clay in her studio to understand its characteristics. Through trial and error and a long process - she gifted this expo to us.

Terres Marronnes feels rough on the surface but gentle inside out. As she manipulates the soil, it becomes a part of her. Let’s call Shakti Mother Land.

Terres Marronnes would have made a beautiful documentary: exploring our soil, its characteristics, colours and textures. I wish there would have been a little camera capturing all of the aha moments she had. So, I did my little research. She created a film about her exploration and experimentation with Mauritian soil.

It is poetic, relaxing and worth the detour.

It almost feels, that these samples of clay chose Shakti. They murmured, she lent an ear.

Before she grabs a plot of clay, she goes on to forage our soil in different parts of the Island. Chamarel, Saint Antoine, Arsenal, Yemen, Midlands, Choisy, Piton du Milieu... and maybe places that didn’t make it to the show. From mountains to sugar cane fields and nearby rivers. Through the storm, rain and sunshine. A map in hand, with her shovel, trowel, bags and boots. Through testing, processing, polishing, glazing, firing and packing of the clay. I might have skipped a lot of stages but what transpires is a desire to get answers to her questions.

She definitely went through a rollercoaster of emotions during her wild clay quest!

Shakti Callikan's cookies

Months of research, development and documentation led her to this exhibition. Isn't that fascinating? The knowledge that she has gathered will become the foundation for other artists.

The answers she was once in search of, have become tools for others to use.

Arsenal

Yemen

Chamarel

Saint Antoine

Baudot

Midlands

Choisy

Piton du Milieu

The cracks

The way she sees cracks and beauty.

The way she interprets nature's imprint on our soil. I love her connection with nature. To create an expo of this depth, you need an intimate relationship with your environment. The ability to see what is. The ability to catch up on details. There needs to be mindfulness. Each one of us is given a purpose in life. Something that our heart yearns for. At this stage of her life, she had the calling to dig into the ground to reveal its identity. Our identity.

We can't call it dirt. Look at these beautiful shades. A colour palette of pigmentation extracted from underneath.

Something is cooking in Shakti's kitchen.

Engobes

It's a labour of love, and you can feel it.

Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur, Boron, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Aluminum

Beauty lies in imperfection.

I love that these cracked cookies and engobes were kept as a reminiscence of what didn't work. It's all part of the progress.

Her loyal companion, her pair of boots. How many miles did they do together ?

Back in December 2023 during a rainy storm, I visited Terres Marronnes, drenched from head to toe. I had no idea what I was about to witness. I'm so happy I did, cause I experienced the fruits of a long-term project. This journey to the heart of our land through Terres Marronnes was inspiring. Thank you Shakti Callikan and everyone involved in bringing this exhibition to life.

Shakti Callikan's: Website, Instagram