G Reghu with one of his sculptures
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
There is an earthy, yet whimsical quality to the figures crafted by G Reghu. At first glance, it is easy to mistake his work as having been fashioned out of clay, when, in truth, the artiste has used ceramic and bronze to create the figurines he will be displaying at his solo show, Primal Connections.
Scenes from everyday life — tete-a-tetes, yoga poses, livestock, mother and child, moments of solitude — that are forgotten as they pass by take shape in Reghu’s work.
“Human lives are fraught with tension, whether you are living in a war zone or are battling personal challenges. Yet most of the time, the source of these anxieties is manmade. Sadly, the worst hit are women, children and the aged. All my pieces are created in the hope of bringing a sense of quiet to the day.”
He continues, “For me, the Mother and Child series evokes love and compassion, while Yoga induces a sense of peace and calm. War hits people on both sides, but I believe if more positive emotions such as patience, goodwill and harmony were fostered, there would be fewer opportunities for discord.”
A sculpture by G Reghu
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The nature lover who has spent a lot of time in Wayanad in Kerala and Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, says he finds human existence is unblemished amongst the tribal populace there “as they fear no war, and they live in the simple joys of food and water,” adding most of the figures in his work are modelled on them.
Origin story
Reghu was born in Kilimanoor, a small village in Thiruvananthapuram, into a humble family. Dr Elizabeth Baker, wife of architect Laurie Baker, used to work in the hospital adjoining a playground and would often hand out paper and colour pencils to the children playing nearby.
“She would encourage us to draw or make greeting cards and show her. I was one of those children whose work she liked and she took me under her wing, sponsoring my school education. She is the one who encouraged me to join the College of Fine Arts in Thiruvananthapuram.”
Life eventually took Reghu to Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal, an international art centre ahead of its time, where he spent over 20 years working, before relocating to Bengaluru 20 years ago.
A sculpture by G Reghu
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
As many as 50 to 60 pieces on display at Primal Connections have been crafted over the past three years. Ranging between nine inches and 3.2 feet, they are untitled, as the artiste says, “I do not wish to confine viewers to the name I may give a piece; they may have a vastly different comprehension of the same work and I do not want to impose my perspective on them.”
Primal Connections will be on display at Gallery Time and Space, Bengaluru, from November 23 to December 14. Entry free; Mondays closed.
Published – November 21, 2025 12:33 pm IST
