Aman Khanna’s Cast of Clay Personalities Meet at the Corner of Form and Function

Aman Khanna’s symbolic ceramic sculptures, referred to as Claymen, are hand-crafted in New Delhi by the artist and a team of assistants. With emotive faces and an approachable aura, the figures evoke the human condition, non-binding to any gender and representing the universal act of introspection.

Refined and unembellished heads are a recurring motif within Khanna’s work. “I have always been fascinated by human psychology—the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that define us,” the artist shares. “Heads are not just a vessel for thoughts and feelings but also encompass the face, which is how we recognize and connect with one another.”

an ivory water fountain in the shape of a spherical head and circular basin sits among plants — “Blown Away”

In recent works, Khanna’s minimalist clay characters take on different roles associated with everyday functionality. For instance, the artist shares that the series of Headrest stool sculptures “double as a seat and a metaphor for pausing and relieving the burden of modern life.” Split Head Light and Table, vases within Blob Set, and Super Moon Lamps are all examples of practicality converging with aesthetics.

You can discover more on the Claymen studio’s website, as well as Instagram.

minimalist rotund heads sit atop short columns that get narrower toward the top. — “Super Moon Lamps”

an ivory head is cut in half. the bottom half rests on the floor and acts as a table, and the top half is suspended right above, acting as an overhead light. — “Split Head Light and Table”

six heads in hues of ivory, sage green, and orange take the form of spherical seats — “Headrest Stools”

a grid of sixteen small figurines of expressive ceramic faces with limbs, hung on the wall in shades of ivory and terracotta. though they look similar, each dons its own unique feature — “All is Swell”

two ceramic figures sit with a functional tray encircling their heads. — “Serving Hope”

serving bowls shaped like heads in pastel hues hold cooked food inside. — “Serving Heads”

six small figurines of expressive ceramic faces with limbs. though they look similar, each dons its own unique feature — Characters from “All is Swell”

minimalist rotund heads sit atop both tall and short columns that get narrower toward the top. — “Super Moon Lamps”

two ceramic figures stand with their arms carrying a functional tray above their heads. — “Hands-On Servers”

four lamps with openings that look like a creatures mouth. — “Humble Table Lamps”

five heads in hues of ivory, sage green, and orange take the form of spherical seats, two individuals rest upon them — “Headrest Stools”

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