Delhi's art scene welcomes a profound spiritual journey with the opening of artist Nandakumar PK's solo exhibition, 'Tied to the Waves,' at the Stainless Gallery. The show, which will run until November 16, presents a compelling collection of sculptures crafted from stone, bronze, wood, and steel, each piece resonating with mythic undertones and deep personal reflection.
A Dialogue with Faith and Material
For Nandakumar, the act of sculpting is far more than mere creation; it is a dynamic conversation between faith, memory, and the raw material itself. Curated by multimedia artist Riyas Komu, the exhibition is described as the artist's 'spiritual return'—a process of rediscovering ideas by breaking free from traditional constraints. His works draw inspiration from a rich tapestry of sources, from Buddhist legends to the temple rituals of his native Kerala, seamlessly blending the sacred with the physical.
"As an artist, what we do is transform a thing into something else," Nandakumar explained. "It could be a stone, but we transform it, both metaphorically and physically. Along with that, there is a transformation that is happening within." This internal and external metamorphosis is central to his artistic philosophy.
Standout Pieces and Mythic Inspirations
One of the most striking works in the exhibition is a chandelier titled Miracle at Saravatti, which takes the form of an inverted stupa. This piece is inspired by a legend from Buddha's life. Nandakumar narrates, "The legend says that after attaining enlightenment, Buddha visits the kingdom of Saravatti. When he asks the king for food, the king replies, 'why just food, ask for anything you want.' The king learns his lesson when Buddha multiplies his form and begs for food." The artist symbolizes this story by multiplying the bowl and cube elements of the stupa, placing them at various points throughout the gallery.
The exhibition's namesake, Tied to the Waves, serves as the centerpiece. It is a set of seven mild steel sculptures in rusted green and brown hues. The artist points out the inherent irony in the title: "You can’t tie anything to the wave. The waves are always moving, in motion. You just go with the flow." The work is a powerful acknowledgment of life's impermanence and the futility of trying to hold on to the transient.
Recurring Themes and Organic Process
Water and water bodies emerge as a persistent theme across Nandakumar's works. "Water holds memory," he stated, describing photographs of puddles he took in Leh. "Puddles are good – they feed ponds, ponds feed wells, and wells feed rivers. We don’t take care of this flow." The Kulam or pond is another recurring structure, anchoring his pieces in a sense of fluid continuity.
His creative process is intensely organic and unscripted. "It is an organic process for me. My mood of the day reflects on the progress of the work. If I am in a bad mood, I might break some parts," he revealed, discussing the expressions on his sculpture Interrupted seeing (oola).
Other notable works include Sherpa’s Way, a multimedia installation mapping points along a Himalayan trek, and Rooted Up, which reimagines a tree he encountered in Mussoorie, its branches reaching upward like "inverted faith." He explained, "Instead of uprooting, you’re rooting upwards."
Ultimately, Nandakumar invites viewers to an active engagement with his art. He says, "I’m just making the base. You develop on it. I’m giving you an empty bowl. You need to fill it." The exhibition ‘Tied to the Waves’ is on at the Stainless Gallery, New Delhi, until November 16.
