Looking at terracotta beyond its traditional use in pottery, artist Raja Arunodayan has explored the medium to include tile works, and conceptual pieces of art.
“Terracotta is a flexible medium, and can be used to convey new ideas. Traditionally, terracotta has been used to make pots, but it can be moulded into a variety of things. Compared to other mediums, it is also cheaper,” says Mr. Arunodayan. He has worked with the terracotta medium since the last five years, following a bachelor’s degree specialising in sculptures from Chennai, and has exhibited in different places, including the Lalit Kala Akademi in Chennai. He has also worked with metal sheets in his art work.
Mr. Arunodayan runs the Mari Sarojini Sculpture Studio in Koonimedu, Villupuram, with a team of five women from the neighbourhood whom he has trained. He says he wants more people to be take interest and be trained in terracotta art.
“In my work, I have explored various subjects, including the soul. I do not like to label my work as it might create a preconceived idea in the minds of the viewer. I would like to leave it open to interpretation, and the viewer’s imagination,” he says. An exhibition-cum-sale of his art work is ongoing at the Sega art gallery on the Nidarajapayer Street till May 1.
