At 67, Indian Art sculptor maestro K.S. Radhakrishnan vividly recalls the day he encountered Musui, a young Santhal boy whose unforgettable expression sparked the birth of a sculpture. From that serendipitous encounter at Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, Musui has taken myriad forms across Radhakrishnan’s sculptures, evolving into a rickshaw puller, writer, imp, and saint. Whether suspended in mid-air in Kozhikode’s Mananchira ground or gracing Goa’s Panjim with a welcoming embrace, Musui’s essence transcends in various avatars.
Now, a momentous occasion awaits as Bikaner House in Delhi hosts “On The Open Road,” Radhakrishnan’s inaugural retrospective. This exhibition, curated by art historian R. Siva Kumar, brings forth photographs of public works alongside sculptures spanning five decades, providing a glimpse into the sculptor’s evolution. Renowned for his preference for bronze, Radhakrishnan’s airbound figures, with supple spines and lithe limbs, reflect the flexibility of the human mind.
His admiration for Ramkinkar Baij and a desire to emulate Baij’s approach to public art have guided Radhakrishnan’s journey. Embodying this ethos, “The Crowd,” an installation representing Delhi’s migrant laborers, stands tall among his recent works on display. This assembly of 50 six-foot-tall sculptures portrays a vibrant, resilient crowd, emblematic of the sculptor’s humanistic perspective.
For Radhakrishnan, people remain the focal point. His sculptures are not abstract; they depict real individuals that continue to captivate his imagination. In an art market evolving from previous constraints, Radhakrishnan emphasizes the importance of patrons who value creative freedom, signaling a steadfast commitment to his artistic integrity.
As the retrospective unfolds at Bikaner House from November 19 to December 14, it serves as a testament to Radhakrishnan’s enduring dedication, offering a captivating narrative spanning half a century of sculptural brilliance.
Image credits – https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/sculptor-ks-radhakrishnan-on-the-open-road-retrospective-musui-bronze-sculpture/article67532281.ece
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