G Reghu, born in 1959 in Kilimanoor, Kerala is a prominent Indian sculptor known for his ceramic and terracotta figures that draw deeply from rural life and indigenous traditions. He studied sculpture at the College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, and early in his career was mentored by the influential artist J Swaminathan during his time at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, where he worked for almost fifteen years. This formative period marked a decisive shift in his practice, from working with conventional materials to embracing clay, terracotta, and stoneware, informed by Gandhian ideals of simplicity and sustainability.

Reghu’s sculptural language is marked by rounded, tactile forms and a distinctive figuration characterised by elongated heads, prominent ears, and stylised features that recall both tribal iconography and folk traditions. His works often depict intimate scenes from everyday rural life, figures in repose, familial groupings, animals, and moments of quiet reflection, imbued with a sense of stillness, humour, and understated vitality. While rooted in specific regional experiences, his practice transcends locality, creating a universal visual vocabulary that oscillates between the tribal and the surreal.

Working primarily with hand-built techniques such as coiling, pinching, and slab construction, Reghu treats clay as a responsive collaborator. His preference for matte, earthy surfaces, often achieved through wood-firing and natural oxides, reinforces the organic and elemental quality of his sculptures. Over the years, his work has evolved in scale and complexity, while retaining its essential intimacy and tactile essence.

Reghu has exhibited widely in India and internationally, including at the Bharat Bhavan Biennale, Bhopal, and the International Biennale Exhibition in Cairo. A recipient of several awards, including the Bharat Bhavan Biennale Award and the Bombay Art Society Award, he continues to live and work in Bengaluru. His practice remains committed to exploring the poetic potential of the mundane, articulating a world that is at once nostalgic, contemplative, and quietly celebratory.