This July, the Livingston Public Library display case showcases the ceramic artwork of local artist Sonali Setia.

Sonali Setia is a New Jersey ceramic artist whose imaginative functional pottery reflects her love of both art and nature. She holds a master’s degree in Comparative Literature and an MBA. After working at Deutsche Bank, she became a stay-at-home mother in 2001 and later pursued her passion for the arts.

Since 2011, Sonali has studied ceramics and etching at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit. She enjoys experimenting with different clay bodies and techniques, creating distinctive pieces that explore form, color, and line. Her work is inspired by the beauty and diversity of the natural world.

Sonali’s ceramics have been featured in a juried exhibition at the MFA Gallery in Frenchtown, New Jersey. When she’s not in the studio, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Joey.

Artist’s Statement

My love of clay began in childhood, when I first discovered the joy of shaping something from a simple lump of mud. That fascination resurfaced years later when I began studying ceramics and learned to throw on the wheel. What started as an escape from the demands of everyday life soon became a lifelong passion.

Working with clay has taught me patience, perseverance, and the value of embracing the unexpected.  I enjoy every stage of the creative process—from wedging and shaping the clay to the excitement of the first bisque firing and the final glaze selection.  The potter’s wheel remains both the most challenging and rewarding part of my practice, offering endless opportunities for exploration and growth.

Nature is my greatest source of inspiration. The flowers, trees, colors, and textures I encounter every day often find their way into my work, along with influences from the rich artistic traditions I have encountered through travel and cultural exploration, including the rich tribal art from India (as seen in the white vase with peacocks and goats). I strive to make each piece unique while celebrating the beauty of the natural world.

There is always an element of mystery in ceramics. Fire, glaze, and clay interact in ways that can never be fully predicted, and some of my favorite pieces have emerged from unexpected outcomes.  The tall vase in dark brown clay with a purple glaze broke at the rim when a piece of wood shattered it, yet it is now one of my favorite pieces.  All of the vases in this exhibition are wheel-thrown functional works, created to bring beauty, joy, and a connection to nature into everyday life.

Sonali can be reached at Tel # 908-418-0484 or via email at sonali.nyc@gmail.com