State Line

I don8217;t like to make political comments,8221; states Rajendar Tiku just before guests start trouping into Gallery Espace to give their verdict on the Kashimiri artist8217;s work.

Kashmiri artist Rajendar Tiku makes subtle statements through his art

I don8217;t like to make political comments,8221; states Rajendar Tiku just before guests start trouping into Gallery Espace to give their verdict on the Kashimiri artist8217;s work. Titled Metaphors in Matter, his solo in Delhi after five years may not be directly depictive of the violence that has plagued the war-torn valley, but deeper interpretation of each title and with slight reflection the silent statements seem obvious. With Black Key in bronze, Tiku portrays the inability to find a key to resolve the problems in Kashmir and My House in the Snow acts as a personal memoir, depicting his cherished memory of his house submerged in snow. In The Site- n Tiku makes use of the now almost defunct Sharada script, but he fades the lettering engraved on the dever stone, lest it allow onlookers to read his mind. 8220;Each work is open to interpretation,8221; he says.

While he has been careful to avoid any direct connotations in the 25 sculptures on display, he does confess that the influence of the surroundings cannot be negated. 8220;After all, art is personal,8221; he smiles, looking at a gold-gilded wood sculpture titled Sprout, based on Kashmiri poet Shama Kaul8217;s poem 8216;Humne boyi hai apni asthiyon ki paniri8212; hum ugenge8217; We have sown the seedlings of our remains8212; we shall sprout again. 8220;The words aptly describe the situation in Kashmir,8221; says Jammu-based Tiku, who travelled to Jaipur and Kashmir to work on the sculptures. 8220;I wanted to make use of the local material that was available in these places,8221; says Tiku, as he looks at the work titled Site x. 8220;This is inspired by the Martand Sun Temple,8221; he shares.

As he invites the reaction to his work from art connoisseurs in Delhi, Tiku does realise that in times of recession the price tag will attract most attention. 8220;Everyone seems to be more interested in the price,8221; he smiles.

The exhibition at Gallery Espace is on till December 6. Contact: 26326267