A touch of bronze

Who: Sculptor KS Radhakrishnan
What: Talking about his bronze work
Where: Jehangir Art Gallery

Even though it isn't usually easy to connect with lifeless images, sculptor K S Radhakrishnan's work is clearly the exception. His bronze figurines, chiefly illustrated by Mausi and Maiya, two characters created by the sculptor, depict shades of life in all its innocence and splendour. His current series, Liminal Figures Liminal Space is exhibiting at the Jehangir Art Gallery till January 31, after which the show moves to Art Musings till February 13. CS gets the bronze baron talking about the series and his alter egos Mausi and Maiya:



Craving for space

The liminal state by definition is characterised by openness. This series touches on that space where you exist while being transported to the space you want to be. One is constantly evolving while journeying between these two spaces. This movement is an inherent characteristic of my sculpture and is symbolic of life.

Being human

I usually tell my stories through two characters, Mausi and Maiya. The former is a boy I knew in my younger days. But he has evolved over the years and become a part of me. Maiya is a fictional character, Mausi's female counterpart. They've been an intrinsic part of my work since 1995. They're both multi-faceted characters.

Mausi can sometimes be an imp who can walk on leaves or float in the air. He is innocent and simple, but might be stupid sometimes. He can be a saint or a devil. Maiya on the other hand can sometimes be Durga and at other times Monalisa. She's beyond any defined contours. But, all said and done, they both retain human characteristics.

The two characters have become my alter egos, to the point that sometimes people refer to me as Mausi. Often when I'm with people, I try to gauge how much of Mausi or Maiya I can see in them.

Shaping characters

I create my sculptures out of bronze as the material gives me the freedom to delve in space. It's the only material that allows Mausi and Maiya to be themselves.