‘Ascending Energies’ at Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi

A 9ft high sculpture of fibre-reinforced polymer, of a person astride a spinning wheel, flaunting metal rings that bear his hands down; installations of polymer and metal, are among the works that comprise his new solo show, entitled ‘Ascending Energies’ at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.
Satish Gujral spent the whole last year monitoring workers who molded the new sculptures, bearing a stamp of his imagination.

Incidentally, Satish Gujral’s most recent suite of paintings, drawings and sculptures, entitled ‘Tryst with Modernity and Tradition’ on view at Jehangir Art Gallery and later at Cymroza Art Gallery in Mumbai was a peep into the interplay of tradition and modernity. It amazes the veteran artist how the people have taken to modern way of living, even without forsaking their religious beliefs and traditions. Indeed, age and subject are not a hindrance to his artistic sojourn. The crux of his creative energy and philosophy lies in his spirit to constantly innovate.

In different periods of his life, varying concerns have driven him. During the post-independence phase, he depicted the human tragedy inflicted on either side of the borders. The pathos attached with the cataclysmic chain of events was reflected in his work when he first started painting. He studied art at the Mayo College in Lahore (1939-44) and Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai (1944-47). A chanced meeting with Octavio Paz changed the course of his career, leading to his selection for a scholarship to Mexico in 1952.

Keen to work on new ideas and tread an unusual path, the zestful octogenarian still relishes experimenting with different mediums and diverse themes. His fourth solo in the last five years or so, collates his recurrent themes, comprising the confluence of varied human, animal and mechanical forms. The sculptures in bronze and polymer - some with a steely, blue finish or tinge of brown, feature men entwined with machines and animals to denote mutual enslavement. He explains, “The association between technology and man interests me. The relationship that they share is fascinating.”