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Lot 27

 

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There is more than what meets the eye in the case of Mayyur Kailash Gupta’s sculptures. What appears to be a replica of an old time lantern, or even a toy windmill has actually a story to tell. A story of a man who wishes to revisit and recapture times gone by.

While the artist’s earlier works were reflections of his dreams and fantasies, Mayyur’s more recent works talk about his environment and objects and his sensitivity towards... There is more than what meets the eye in the case of Mayyur Kailash Gupta’s sculptures. What appears to be a replica of an old time lantern, or even a toy windmill has actually a story to tell. A story of a man who wishes to revisit and recapture times gone by.

While the artist’s earlier works were reflections of his dreams and fantasies, Mayyur’s more recent works talk about his environment and objects and his sensitivity towards them. Sourcing of antique objects, toys, even seeds, is a hobby, which takes on the meaning of an art.

Mayyur’s journey begins with the search for these objects and ends in its manifestation. All these objects when recreated and sculpted are a part of the process of becoming an integral part of the artist’s oeuvre and personality and carry with them sentiments transformed over the years. In the present context each of these collected objects assume a new significance, whether it is the rehashing of the forgotten or old wounds or the resonance of bygone joys.

Through his work, the artist shows an undying desire to relive and be one with the past. Reflections of childhood memories stare at you in the form of large stone replicas of toys or pebbles, things which children find sheer joy. But now that they are not any longer in materials that can be destroyed or tarnished by time, itself reveals the nature of the artist’s passion to make a memory more permanent and indestructible.

“To relive the past once again is an experience amazing enough.” says the artist. Mayyur’s special relationship with his daughter allows him to see the old and forgotten in an entirely new perspective. The high quotient of emotional bonding in this relationship, which he cherishes so much, is immortalized through the focus of many of his works Mayyur is comfortable working with any medium, stone, wood, paper mache or even terracotta. There is a sure preference for natural materials. But essentially the material is simply a means to reach the desired result. The last couple of years have seen him work more in stone for its tactile property

Apart from single piece sculptures, the artist has also done several relief works. Many of his sculptures show the artist merging two individual objects, related in relevance, to become one in form and in spirit. Simplified forms gain iconic status through deft workmanship and finishing, still retaining a very natural quality.

The yearning to be one with nature, to relive and rebuild the past with the aim to enhance the future is the essence of this artists work.

Mayyur completed his graduation and post graduation in sculpture from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda in 1986 and 1989 respectively. He received the Charles Wallace India Trust Award Fellowship to U.K in 1996-97. He is also the recipient of the Gujarat Lalit Kala Academy Award, Ahmedabad(1986). He has participated in numerous art camps and shown his work in prominent galleries all over the country as well as in the UK.

Mayyur works and resides in Baroda. The artist has been teaching sculpture at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Technology & Engineering, MS University, Baroda since 1993.

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