Sculpting a Finger at the Society

Smitha Namboothiri visits K.Reghunadhan’s solo ‘Anecdotes’ at the Kashi Art Gallery, Kochi and speaks to him extensively to find out what he attempts through his recent set of sculptures. She reviews the works and peps it up with smart comments by the artist himself.

WHO SAID, an artists' isolation from the contemporary art circuit for a long period would incapacitate him to make a stunning re-entry? Here, one of the well-known artists of the 'radical movement' K. Reghunadhan, in all sense, has made a dazzling re entry after a meaningful silence for two decades. 'Anecdotes', the recently concluded exhibition at Kashi Art Gallery, Mattanchery clearly indicates that Reghu's silence for such a long time has made him unparallel.

Reghu terms his style of sculpturing and his first solo show as the first one of its kind in Kerala. "Anecdotes lacks predecessors, though artists like Kanayi Kunjiraman has done huge sculptors, my style is distinct and unique", says a confident Reghu. With the difference in subjects, expressions and style, Reghu has achieved a unique positioning among the contemporary artists.

Talking on his style of creating an art work, the artists says, "For me, themes or subjects are of less significance and what bothers me is the perfection and form of figures. Of course there is a thread of thought, triggered by the common sights around and the very personal responses. But my works are more momentary and independent than preoccupied". The odd figures carrying an absurd amount of baggage in absurd and vulnerable postures showcased in 'Anecdotes' clearly portray the artist's diverse style of working on his themes. He has taken utmost care to position the figures strategically, after much editing and modifications. "Positioning an art work has much significance. Only through a strategic positioning of his figures, an artist would be able to communicate what he wants to tell the viewer", opines Reghu.

Many artists prefer to use literature and titles to make their works more comprehensible. But for this 'radical artist' literature or titling is something that never needed for a work of art. "Usually artists seek the support of literature in making their works communicable. But, I believe a visual has its own freedom and an independent space where literature is not needed to convey an idea. I have deliberately cut off all the possibilities of literature in my figure as art is a language in itself. Even the titles are just anecdotes so as to make the visuals free from everything else".

"In fact, 'Anecdotes' is an attempt to educate the society and especially media about the art and its significance. I think, media and society in Kerala are yet to understand and appreciate the good art works and artists", said an excited Reghu. According to Reghu, his show is a diatribe on the 'nasty and hypocritical' Kerala society. Thus, all figures in 'Anecdotes' clearly communicate the artist's disgustful resentment towards the society. The works showcased in Kashi Art Gallery directly illustrate the degeneration and debasement of the modern society. The predominant feel of revulsion, anger and hatred in the artist's mind is the recurring theme in the show. The works, some of them are titled; carry forward the characteristic traits of the artist.

Though the show deals with some of the burning issues which are specific to the Kerala society like garbage, filthy public places, hypocrisy of Malayalees etc., it has a global perspective, says Reghu. "I am not inferior to anybody and like any other known artists of Europe I would be able to address a wider audience spread over the national or even international levels" he adds.

 "Nowadays, art and artists of Kerala have got a global recognition and the issues they deal with are not specific to a particular geographical area", Reghu added. According to him, his works can be appreciated even by creatures from other planets. "My viewers are not Indians or international people; even creatures from other planets also would be able to recognize my works". Unlike literature or even cinema, the visual arts are not limited within the boundaries of the spoken language. As the contemporary art circuit has changed a lot, an artist has to go deep into the core of the issue to make his works more appealing and appreciable for a global viewer.

The artist's experiments find expression in works like 'Mother and Child', 'Loaded' and 'Confession'. Through the figures, artist portrays the dirty acts of human beings like eating voraciously, drinking heavily and throwing up everywhere.

 'A fine balance', one of the figures in the show portrays an odd figure with both feminine and masculine features. A human figure, but not man or woman, why? "It was an experiment, just to explore the paradox, and to expose our society's contemptuous attitude towards the idea".

'Anecdotes' is the result of Reghu's effort for the last two years. Staying at 'Kakkaturuthu', an isolated small island in Alappuzha district, he restarted sculpturing after a long dry spell. Before 'Anecdotes' happened, Reghu re-entered into the contemporary art circuit with some of his works in 'Double-Enders'. His works won widespread accolades and leading collectors were interested to buy his works.