Just as nobody can tame the ocean waves, the Raza Foundation has unleashed a splendid show featuring the talents, creativity, and ingenuity of Indian sculptors. As part of Raza 102, celebrated sculptor Robin David curated the show, choosing 20 artists; all under forty, from around the country to present their prowess and mastery over the art of sculpting in a major exhibition titled ‘Yuva Sumbhava’. The exhibition, currently open at Shridharani Art Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam is on view until 28 February 2024.
The artists in question are Abhishek Tuiwala (Gujrat), Akash Kumar Seth (Uttar Pradesh), Anil Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Arvind Mangal (Maharashtra), Bhola Kumar Bhaim (Bihar), Cyrus Penuganti (Andhra Pradesh), Debasish Bera (West Bengal), Goldi Kumar (Haryana), Harsha Durugadda (Andhra Pradesh), Kajal (Uttar Pradesh), Lalit Kumar Chaurasiya (Uttar Pradesh), Narender Prajapati (Haryana), Narendra Kumar Dewangan (Chhattisgarh), Pardeep Kumar (Haryana), Ramesh Chandra (Uttar Pradesh), Ravi Kumar (New Delhi), Renubala Kashyap (Punjab), Sabbavarapu VS Rao (Andhra Pradesh), Sangam Vankhade (Gujrat), and Shaik Azgharali (Andhra Pradesh).
“Though the scene of sculpture is marked by a lot of creativity and innovation, the opportunities for exhibiting sculpture are far and few. This show reveals both the strength, the range, the vitality of some young sculptors” writes Ashok Vajpeyi, Life and Managing Trustee of The Raza Foundation Trust. While the exhibition doe indeed serve as an excellent channel for an artist’s innermost thoughts and emotions, it aims at motivating budding sculptors to articulate their visions through the creative usage of materials and implementing new practices, adhering to evolving technology.
Earlier, the exhibition criteria demanded the sculptures to be magnificent treats made from stone. However, upon David’s suggestions, the criteria were dissolved. To him, “In current times, young sculptors are experimenting with various mediums other than stone.” Hence, it would’ve been unfair to artists whose artistry lies in other territories. Thanks to David’s crucial decisions, the audiences are blessed with never-before-seen marvellous forms and figures made of marble, bronze, basalt, wood, sandstone, copper, granite, and metal.
David elucidates numerous predicaments when it comes to sculptures and artists, which may be a leading cause for the absence of sculpture exhibitions and shows. For him, the transportation of stone sculptures; which are always often too delicate and brittle, seldom results in a fiasco. Laden upon this setback are the taxation and insurance issues, which are a source of collective anxiety in the sculpting community, especially the younger generation.
David is dismayed at the widespread current ignorance about the myriad uses of stone, which presently is seen as a trivial medium. He seems nostalgic about the use of stones (his primary medium) vis-a-vis the rampant use of CNC machines, which only require programming to carve out intricate designs. Hence, this exhibition primarily focuses on stone forms and figures, with traces of metal sculptures, spread across the galley as is the case with Seth’s artistry. At the end of the day, he remains assured that the selected artist’s creation will stand the test of time.
Image Courtesy – Abir Pothi
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