A smaller version of a ubiquitous temple ‘hundi’ is transformed into a work of art by Kumaresan Selvaraj. The sculptor constructs this hundi using numerous 5 paise, 10 paise and 20 paise coins, now rendered obsolete. He stacks these coins with precision to make the hundi. For yet another hundi, he uses oxidised coins placed one against the other, rather than being stacked up, giving more room to the form.
Constructing Forms is the theme of the exhibition featuring six Chennai-based sculptors and it’s interesting to observe how they use wood, brass, bronze, nails, pins and just about any piece of metal to arrive at figurative and abstract forms.
Yuvaraj Velu tries to understand the complexities of the human mind by replacing the human head with a cube and a chess board, referring to the mind’s infinite capabilities of problem solving. The cube and chess board made of wood rest on wooden bodies supported by an iron neck. The human form is also an inspiration for Janarthanan Rudhramoorthy. He calls these forms ‘nests’ indicating its temporary space for the soul. One of his human forms is constructed with several layers of metal, referring to different personality traits, and another form is a simple wire mesh. Ganesh Selvaraj sculpts forms that look like longitudinal cross sections of bottles and marine life, curiously titled Inside Outside. The artiste intends to draw attention to different interpretations based on which side the sculpture is viewed.
With most sculptors presenting figurative works, Saravanan Parasuraman goes the abstract way, arriving at forms that appear like anthills and says these are storehouses of the knowledge we gain from the world.
Elancheziyan Pichaikkannu moves away from the socio-psychological discussions and constructs forms of raging bulls in a ‘jallikattu’ or the bull fight of Madurai, depicting how men can be taken to task by the ferocious bulls.
Constructing Forms is on view till September 30 at Kalakriti art gallery, road no.10, Banjara Hills.
