Important Notice

"I strive for something iconic and monumental that transcends the boundaries of culture, nature and geography." - G RAVINDER REDDY

G Ravinder Reddy's fibreglass sculptures of painted, embellished female heads with kohllined eyes and elaborately shaped hair are a striking combination of tradition and kitsch. Inspired by classical depictions of goddesses, the copper tone of the present lot is reminiscent of the gilded images... "I strive for something iconic and monumental that transcends the boundaries of culture, nature and geography." - G RAVINDER REDDY

G Ravinder Reddy's fibreglass sculptures of painted, embellished female heads with kohllined eyes and elaborately shaped hair are a striking combination of tradition and kitsch. Inspired by classical depictions of goddesses, the copper tone of the present lot is reminiscent of the gilded images usually seen in South Indian temples. Acutely aware of form and anatomy, Reddy employs a minimalist style in depicting the faces of these women, instead focusing his attention on smaller details, such as the hair ornaments, earrings and nose rings, and vibrantly painted lips. The bright palette Reddy uses to articulate these elements is typical of modern Indian street art and ensures that these sculptures have their place in the idiom of contemporary Pop Art. "Reddy brings Indian goddesses into the contemporary world, turns contemporary women into goddesses, and traces the popular culture path between goddess and pinup." (Margery King, Popular Cultures, Pittsburgh: The Andy Warhol Museum, 2001, online)

Reddy began making these iconic heads in the mid-1990s as a visual expression of his desire to blend the old with the new. In his depiction of these heads, he pays tribute to feminine sensuality, fecundity, and power. The present lot is of a smaller scale than his typical monumental works, and offers a sense of intimacy. Its bold, frontal gaze--a careful and deliberate choice by Reddy--leaves the viewer transfixed by the sheer power of the sculpture.

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