G Reghu’s ceramic sculptures — like him — are simple statements of natural beauty, unmindful of the many subtle tales carried within. A sculptor for the past 20 years, Reghu draws his inspiration from the rural landscape and its people. The almost tribal-like figures — on display at the Time & Space art gallery in Bangalore — exude an air of the exotic captured in the everyday moments. Like the mother and children figure, or the gossiping group of village women; the resting cattle, and better still the gentleman lazing in his easy chair ready for his smoke after a satisfying mid-day meal — impressively exhibit the craft and skill of Reghu. As well-known artist Suresh Jayram says, “He (Reghu) celebrates the ordinary and gives it the status of an icon.”

The clay naturally yields itself to his imagination. Ceramic sculpting is like second nature to Reghu. He specialises in stoneware, a form of clay that is stronger by the fact that it can be fired to a high temperature. This renders the sculptures durable and ideal for the outdoors. Incidentally, most of the exhibits on display (the exhibition concludes on March 26) create a wonderful magic when placed outdoors in lush green lawns.

What makes Reghu’s sculptures even more attractive is the fact that they are sans any embellishments and decorations. Each piece is unique because of the way it has been fired. “I use a woodfire kiln, and I have been experimenting with different firing techniques for years now,” he says. The results are spectacular. The discerning audience can marvel at the craftsmanship, while the lay person can almost be excused for believing the artiste has given a metallic finish to the sculptures!

Using the method of hollow-modelling, coiling, pinching and slabing (hand-building techniques), Reghu creates sturdy yet detailed figures — the buttons on the smoking man’s shirt are as real as a ceramic sculpture can get!
Bronze sculpting is another of Reghu’s forte, and he finds the medium more challenging.

After establishing himself as a sculptor in Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, the artiste has now shifted base to Kanakapura Road. Incidentally, the house that he is constructing there is a tribute to his mentor, the late Laurie Baker (award-winning British-born Indian architect who passed away last year) and his wife Elizabeth Baker.
Baker’s philosophy has rubbed off on Reghu, as the artiste has learnt to be cost effective, and his usage of local material imbibes him and his art with a uniquely aesthetic sensibility.

“I came in touch with Laurie Baker through his wife Elizabeth when I was six years old. Elizabeth had asked us children in school in Thiruvananthapuram to make some Christmas greetings. She picked mine as one of her favourites. Since then she and Laurie encouraged me to pursue my calling,” says Reghu. He completed his degree in fine arts from Thiruvananthapuram and has long years of working and exhibiting in different parts of the world.

Reghu’s ceramic sculptures sale and exhibition is on at the Time & Space gallery till March 26.