In what could be his last exhibition, octogenarian sculptor Shankar Ghosh from Kolkata will showcase 28 of his best works in the city
Though Shankar Ghosh has tried working with mosaic and wood, he prefers brass because of its longevity
Two years ago, Kolkata-based sculptor Shankar Ghosh wanted to ring in his 80th birthday at the Jehangir Art Gallery by showcasing 80 of his best works. But, he was told he’d have to wait for at least six years to make that happen. So, while that’s on hold, the veteran sculptor, now 82, decided to showcase his works in the city anyway. His exhibition at the Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, which flags off tomorrow will showcase 28 sculptures that he has created over the last 10 years.
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The 28 sculptures that will be showcased in the city have been created over the last decade
It was in 1951 when Ghosh commenced his formal training in sculpting in Calcutta. While sculpting may not be child’s play, Ghosh was initiated into it, quite by accident, when he was all of five. “My grandmother would perform the Shiv puja for which she needed me to create a clay shiv ling every day. I did that daily, without fail, till I was about 12. I was always drawn to the idea of creating things with my hands,” he recalls over a telephonic conversation from Kolkata.
Currently, some of his works are on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Lalit Kala Academy, Birla Academy and the Switzerland Municipal Park, among others. All his sculptures are medium-sized figurines, themed on nature. “I love nature. I have tried to play around with other themes, and even though the feedback was good, I was not a fan of what I created,” Ghosh says. Brass is what he works with predominantly, because of its longevity. “I have tried working with mosaic, terracotta and wood. But, I have a very small studio in Kolkata and storage becomes a problem. If the material is brittle, they get damaged easily.”
This exhibition in Mumbai might be his last one. “I am 82 and all these 28 pieces have a combined weight of about 300 kg. When I exhibit outside Kolkata, I do all the handling myself. Even though I am still fit enough to lift a 10kg sculpture, I am not sure how much longer I’ll be able to do this,” he says.
Ghosh is currently finishing work on a life-size sculpture, which incidentally, is his own figurine. “It’s an installation commissioned by the Birla Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata. It’s my own figure, 5.5 feet in height, where I’m resting on an armchair. Call it an old man’s fancy, but that’s how I want the world to remember me.”
Where: Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Nariman Point
When: 11 AM to 7 PM
Call: 22023626
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