Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda art district will host Shared Ground: Forms of Belonging, a solo exhibition by noted sculptor G. Reghu from 7–10 July 2026 at ICIA Gallery. Presented by Giftex, the exhibition marks the artist’s first Mumbai showcase in five years and features 36 ceramic stoneware sculptures created between 2021 and 2024 at his Bhopal studio. The exhibition explores humanity’s relationship with nature, memory and the earth through a body of work developed over more than four decades of artistic practice.
A Return to Mumbai
For visitors familiar with Reghu’s work, the exhibition represents an important return to the city’s contemporary art calendar. His sculptures are recognised for their quiet presence rather than dramatic scale, inviting viewers to reflect on everyday human experiences. Working primarily with clay, Reghu creates seated, resting and crouching figures that balance abstraction with figuration, drawing inspiration from rural life and the enduring relationship between people and the land.
Exploring Humanity Through Clay
The exhibition’s title, Shared Ground: Forms of Belonging, reflects the idea that human existence remains deeply connected to the earth. Instead of polished finishes, the sculptures retain visible traces of fire, ash and touch, highlighting the material’s natural qualities. Reghu’s ceramic works are finished in muted organic tones with textured matte surfaces, emphasising simplicity and material honesty over ornamentation.
“To be human is to experience a full range of emotions such as joy, sadness, humour, silence, and stillness. Each of these is equally important. In my sculptures, I try to bring these feelings together.”
Artist G. Reghu:
An Artistic Practice Shaped by Place
Born in Kerala and based in Bhopal for much of his career, Reghu has developed a distinctive sculptural language through decades of working with clay and terracotta. His artistic journey has been influenced by architect Laurie Baker, Elizabeth Baker and artist J. Swaminathan during his association with Bharat Bhavan. Time spent in the rural regions of Wayanad and Bastar also informed his understanding of indigenous communities and their close relationship with nature, themes that continue to appear throughout his work.
Exhibition Highlights
- 36 ceramic stoneware sculptures created between 2021 and 2024.
- G. Reghu’s first exhibition in Mumbai in five years.
- Sculptures exploring memory, belonging, humanity and nature.
- Works produced using traditional wood-firing techniques.
- Figures presented without titles, encouraging personal interpretation.
Presented by Giftex at ICIA Gallery
The exhibition is presented by Giftex at ICIA Gallery, a venue that has increasingly hosted exhibitions highlighting modern and contemporary Indian art. According to Siddharth Sivakumar, Director – Curation & Artist Relations at ICIA Gallery, Reghu’s sculptures encourage viewers to slow down and engage with quieter forms of artistic expression, standing apart from more monumental trends in contemporary sculpture.
Visitor Information
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Shared Ground: Forms of Belonging |
| Artist | G. Reghu |
| Venue | ICIA Gallery, Kala Ghoda |
| City | Mumbai (Google map) |
| Opening Date | 7 July 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 7–10 July 2026 |
| Timings | 11:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| Organiser | Giftex |
Visitors interested in contemporary Indian sculpture and ceramic art will have an opportunity to experience one of Reghu’s most comprehensive recent presentations in Mumbai.
Concluding Note
Shared Ground: Forms of Belonging offers an opportunity to engage with the contemplative practice of one of India’s respected ceramic sculptors. Through works rooted in clay, memory and human experience, the exhibition encourages audiences to reflect on the enduring relationship between people and the natural world. Its presentation in Mumbai also contributes to the city’s ongoing dialogue around contemporary Indian sculpture and material-based artistic practices.
