S Nandgopal’s sculptures in sheets of copper and brass are to be seen from the front as the backs are not worked on. By Arjita Mishra
Tell us something about your inspiration.
I believe tradition is a great source of inspiration for any creative artist. When asked about what I connect with tradition I have this to say — if I can find an order in the past, there is a chance that I will find an order in my work today. Though I use tradition it is only as a spring board. I am completely aware of what is happening in the West and my contemporaries the world over. In Madras, I belong to a movement called the Madras Movement and the ideology we hold is ‘Indian in spirit and worldwide contemporary’.
What are the stories that you are trying to depict through your sculpturesIJ
Though my work can be termed as narrative sculpture, it is not story -telling that I am after. Design may be the word that can be used to define my sculptures. They belong to a movement in Madras called Frontal sculpture. The fact is that 90 per cent of Indian sculpture is bas relief (or low relief), three dimensional sculptures are comparatively fewer. So a group of artists in Madras in the 60s, started a movement that can be called, Narrative Frontal Sculpture. My sculptures are to be seen from the front as the back is not worked.
They are not to be kept like murals against the wall, and can be viewed from all around though the back is not worked upon. The great Nataraja sculpture though is a three dimensional sculpture, has hardly anything worked at the back.
How much time did you take to finish the sculptures that are on displayIJ
I have worked for over a year on these 21 sculptures that are on display at Art Alive Gallery. I work on my sculptures in a series. I work on three to four sculptures simultaneously as I find it more interesting and engaging.
You work with metal. Which kind of metal you prefer working withIJ
I work with sheets of copper and brass for sculptures in the interior and in stainless steel for sculptures to be placed outdoor.
It will go on till April 30