Renowned artist Sree Harsha Katuri has garnered widespread attention for his impressive exhibition of 3D printed sculptures at the State Art Gallery in Hyderabad. The solo show comprises 18 exhibits that skillfully fuse traditional artistry with state-of-the-art technology, captivating a diverse audience of visitors and art enthusiasts.
One of the most striking pieces is a life-size, six-foot bull and 12-foot bullock cart sculpture, crafted entirely from discarded materials. Katuri proudly articulates, “I aim to showcase the culture of my homeland and the significance of farmers and the natural world in our lives.” Weighing approximately two tons and constructed from scrap automobile parts, the sculpture stands as a true masterpiece of contemporary art.
In addition to the waste-to-art sculpture, Katuri has unveiled other remarkable exhibits, including a pair of imposing six-feet-tall Ongolu Gitta bulls and dynamic renditions of various animals such as a tiger, Cape buffalo, dinosaur, rhinoceros, elephant, and hippopotamus. These fibre sculptures exude an antique allure and contribute a distinctive flair to the exhibition.
The distinguishing feature of Katuri’s work lies in his seamless integration of traditional artistic expression with 3D printing technologies. Inspired by his sculptor father, Katuri Venkateshwar Rao, Sree Harsha set out on a mission to amalgamate art and technology, culminating in the completion of his visual arts degree from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad. His ultimate objective was to delve into the domain of digital sculpting and propel traditional art forms into the digital era.
Katuri elucidates, “While a sculptor traditionally has access to around five to 10 tools for sculpting in clay or cement, 3D modelling and sculpting offer endless possibilities. With complex components of the automobile industry now being 3D printed, why not sculpture?”
His creative process entails 3D modelling and sculpting using software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush, followed by the transformation of digital models into physical objects through the precise control mechanism provided by G-code. To achieve a vintage aesthetic, Katuri meticulously applies metallic colours to the fibre cast pieces during the post-processing stage.
Despite the endless potential offered by 3D printing, Katuri acknowledges its limitations, including printing time and work size constraints. Nonetheless, he remains sanguine and aspires to explore new themes and conceptual works within the realm of 3D printing technology, pushing the boundaries of art and technology even further.
Sree Harsha’s solo exhibition is presently on view at the State Art Gallery, scheduled to remain open until May 13, followed by a group exhibition at the gallery until May 21. This presents a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to witness the harmonious fusion of traditional art forms and modern technology.