Sculpting ‘forms from the formless’

Ending a seven-year long hiatus, sculptor Madan Lal will hold a solo exhibition in Delhi, titled ‘A Syncretic Expressionism’ that focuses on creating ‘forms from the formless’.

Ending a seven-year long hiatus, sculptor Madan Lal will hold a solo exhibition in Delhi, titled ‘A Syncretic Expressionism’ that focuses on creating ‘forms from the formless’.

Out of the 45 sculptures on display, 39 are abstract, ranging from four to twelve inches, in groups signifying the inter-relation between man and nature. The highlight of the exhibition is a 4.5 feet round sculpture titled ‘cosmos’ which describes the ‘play of life’ in a circular form. Apart from these sculptures, the exhibition also displays six automatic drawings which express the subconscious of the artist in ink on paper. Lal’s sculpture tries to combine the primitive and the contemporary.

“My sculptures for this exhibition are forms of the formless. There was no fixed shape in my mind when I created them,” he says. The sharp and edgy feel of the sculptures with thumb impressions of the sculptor, gives it a unique appeal. During the last three and half decades, Lal has created around 300 significant monumental sculptures in the public realm not only in India but also in Japan, China, Germany, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. He has also received many awards and fellowships for his three-dimensional artwork.

“Most of the abstract works in the market are distorted form of the original product, but Lal has created something new and avant-garde for this exhibition,” says Shekhar, curator of the exhibition, on at Creativity Art Gallery, Lado Sarai. The gallery has painted all the walls black to create a dark chamber effect with black stands to display the pieces of art. The dim lighting in the hall brings out the raw appeal of the bronze sculptures with the grip marks and finger impressions of the artist visible.

Book of sculpture
A coffee table book, titled Madan Lal Sculptures in Japan, written by Japanese art critic Toshaiki Minemura, is also being released. The book showcases Madan Lal’s vision of elements in nature synnchronised with the philosophy of Japan through his works. “I first went to Japan in 1985 on a scholarship by Japanese government for advanced study in sculpture and have travelled to the country almost 15 times after that. My book is a testimony to the special bond I share with Japan and its people. More than 100 sculptures by me are displayed in the important cities and towns of the country,” says Lal.

Watch out...
What: ‘A Syncretic Expressionism’ solo exhibition of sculptures by Madan Lal
When: 10am to 7pm
Till: December 28
Where: Creativity Art Gallery, F-213 A, Ground Floor, Lado Sarai
Entry: Free
Nearest Metro Station: Qutab Minar on the Yellow Line

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