Kerala - Kochi   

Return of the prodigal son

Nineteen years are a pretty long time of a hiatus for an artist.

But it took exactly 19 long years for K.Reghunathan, the sculptor who was a contemporary of well-known artists such as N.N.Rimzon and Alex Mathew, to come out of his almost self-imposed `exile.'

Almost two decades after he had completed MFA in sculpture from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, Reghunathan has made a strong come back with a collection of works.

The works, displayed at Kashi Art Gallery in Mattancherry at his solo exhibition titled `Anecdotes,' that opened last week, are noteworthy for their more than life sizes and odd appearances.

At first glance, these works may appear grotesque, as if dwelling too much upon the dark recesses of humanity.

But closer inspection would reveal the underlying current of black humour and slight mockery at the oddities of humanity in general.

The four standing sculptures, titled `Loaded,' `Mother and Child,' `A Fine Balance,' and `Confession,' are made of fibreglass.

They depict human figures, both male and female, in strange postures, carrying the oddest of objects and performing bizarre activities.

There are also six relief-like works on display, made in wood and fibreglass.

Mr. Reghunathan had made his `re-entry' into the contemporary art scene in 2005, with his entrée for `Double Enders,' the travelling group show. His works at the show attracted critical acclaim and featured in many of the important national art journals.

He regards the present show as only a beginning. Preparing for his coming solo show in Mumbai in 2007, Mr. Reghunathan is positive about the future.

"For me, this is only the beginning of a process, which I hope, will continue for long," he says.

Hailing from Punaloor, Mr. Reghunathan is at present working from the Kashi Art Retreat at Kakkathuruthu, a small island near Eramalloor in Alappuzha district.

K. Venkiteswaran

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