ON THE OPEN ROAD

ON THE OPEN ROAD – The first ever retrospective exhibition of the eminent sculptor KS Radhakrishnan will be held at Centre for Contemporary Art, Bikaner House, from 19 Nov-14 Dec 2023.
Curated by renowned art historian Prof R. Siva Kumar, this exhibition will showcase five decades of the sculptor’s works, for the first time.

THE ARTWORKS
Early sculpture from the 70s and 80s, including abstract sculpture and portraiture.

The iconic figures of Musui and Maiya: Since 1998, Radhakrishnan has consistently worked with the smiling face of Musui, a young Santhal man he had met as a student in Santiniketan. Over the years, the artist has turned Musui into a saint, imp, riksha-puller… while Musui’s female counterpart Maiya becomes a writer, a goddess, a Santiniketan graduate… and much more.
Among many sculptures from this ongoing engagement with Musui, the artist’s famous creations The Ramp (Musui as Saint) and the Freehold series are especially noteworthy.

Human Boxes series: These sculptures respond sympathetically to the unfolding saga of migrants who come to Delhi and somehow create a life within highly limited spaces and circumstances.

Himself a migrant from Kerala, the artist also remembers his childhood via sculpted memories of ephemeral smells and sensations, and daily-use objects.
Special attraction: Radhakrishnan’s most recent work – The Crowd (2023) – a massive, unique installation of 50 bronze figures, each 6 foot tall.  Displayed outdoors). Images of public sculpture: Firmly committed to public engagement with art, Radhakrishnan has installed his art in many public places across India (as well as France). Photographs of these open-air works will add a significant dimension to the show.

ABOUT KS Radhakrishnan
Born in 1956 in Kottayam, Kerala, KS Radhakrishnan studied art at Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, under the guidance of legendary teachers and mentors such as Ramkinkar Baij, Sarbari Roy Choudhury and Somnath Hore. Since then, he has been a prolific presence in the world of sculpture, constantly exploring, thinking, and responding to his world and his times.

Radhakrishnan is celebrated for his exceptional use of bronze, which is his primary medium of sculpting. Though bronze is known for its solidity and heaviness, he has brought a remarkable lightness of form, movement and energy to his bronze figures.

He has created some of the largest sculptural artworks in bronze in India. Radhakrishnan’s sculptures have been shown at solo and group shows across the world, including solo shows at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru; Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi; Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata; Emami Art Gallery, Kolkata; and numerous shows in France. He has also been a part of Triennale India; Beijing Biennale and the India Art Fair.

Dates: 19 Nov – 14 Dec, 2023
Timings: 11 am – 7 pm
Venue: Centre for Contemporary Art, Bikaner house, New Delhi