When Vincent Van Gogh said little emotions were the great captains of our lives and that we obey them without knowing it, he summed up mankind in a nutshell. There is no denying we are subject to different emotions all the time — whether we acknowledge them or not.
Artist Aarti Gupta Bhadauria whose solo show titled, Rhythm Of Emotions, is on display at Sublime Galleria says she “is an emotional person.” Rhythm Of Emotions showcases as many as 25 sculptures she has created using terracotta. Aarti says each of the pieces on display were birthed out of an emotion she was undergoing at the time, and span 10 years of her efforts as an artist.
Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Aarti who has made Bengaluru her home, says she initially wanted to pursue textile science, but due to a lack of substantial courses, took up Fine Arts in Gwalior where she developed an interest in sculpture.
Wave of Attraction by Aarti Gupta | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“At sculpture class, I felt everyone was doing similar stuff and I wanted to try something new. However, my principal was rather strict and I wondered what she would make of my efforts. However, when she appreciated my terracotta sculptures I felt confident enough to continue with my work.”
Her first solo exhibition in 2017, was highly appreciated, which further motivated her. “While at college, I also enjoyed working with stone, but that was not feasible in Bengaluru. That is another reason why I shifted to terracotta completely. Over the years, I have perfected an unusual technique of carving using a medium with which people usually mould objects,” she says.
Her figures span around two feet in height and are fashioned with the help of a few hand-held wire tools; it takes her five to six months to complete a piece. Unlike most terracotta products that are created on a potter’s wheel, Aarti fashions her pieces from huge blocks of clay.
Wave of Rhythm by Aarti Gupta | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Though most of the pieces at Rhythm Of Emotions are in earth colours, there are a few in metallic black which she painted after they were baked in the kiln because she is fond of that tone.
“When I am working, I go with flow and the figures take form at the spur of the moment. I do not decide beforehand what I wish to create. When you work with clay, you create one-of-a-kind pieces; even I can’t replicate what I have done.”
“Many people shy away from using terracotta as they feel it is too fragile, but I want to promote it as I believe it is one of our ancient, folk art forms that should not die away.”
Rhythm of Emotions is on display at Sublime Galleria, UB City, till January 31, 2025. Entry fee ₹50.
Published - January 28, 2025 09:23 pm IST
