D. RAJASEKHARAN NAIR

One of the most renowned sculptors in the city, D.Rajasekharan Nair is admired for his figurative creations. Most of his works depict the dialogue between mind and body.

The 43-year-old artist, born in Trivanduram, holds a National Diploma in Sculpture and a Bachelors Degree in Sculpture from the Centre of Fine Arts, Kerala University. He has also done his Post-Graduate Diploma in Sculpture and Masters in Sculpture from MS University, Baroda. He is a member of the world-famous Cholamandal Artists Village, Injambakkam.

The artist's exploration into sculptural language has been consistently formalistic. Nair says that his recent works exemplify freedom and utmost facility in handling the material and the skill in manipulating it in accordance with the poignant, expressive content.

Interested in carvings in wood and stone, most of the works of the artist are described as assemblages, as they incorporate a wide variety of material, including the drawn lines.

Nair is skilled in using various modes of expression in carving, depending on the context. For instance, one of his earlier works 'The chronicle of a hundred year silent witness' is an ensemble of images, arranged in two connected and yet contrasting horizontal structural levels. Some of his other works like 'Bird with growing leg' and the corrugated fibreglass sheet painted in blue, in the 'Dream Scape', are derived from specific metaphoric imagination.

The artist says, "My attempt has always been to translate certain specific contemporary historical experience. I always aim to achieve expressive form with my thematic intention".

Open to wide-ranging sources and inspiration, the artist has held solo exhibitions at Wasps Gallery, Glasgow and at Art Heritage, New Delhi.

Recipient of various awards including the Gujarat State Lalit Kala Akademi Award and the Henry Moore Award to travel and work in the United Kingdom, Nair has also participated in various group exhibitions. His collections are found in India, the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan.

Address: D.Rajasekharan Nair, Cholamandal Artists Village, Injambakkam, Chennai 600 041.

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