Findall Goa

But from where does she get her inspiration? Her imagination is stirred by ordinary people – workers by the roadside engaged in manual labour, their thin, wiry frames have an elegance – their postures and movements is what Verodina captures in clay, molding her creations with her talented hands. “There is a sculpture of three fisherwomen displayed behind the Old Secretariat which was commissioned by the Government six or seven years ago. The figures are 6.5 feet tall. Such large pieces I mainly do on order. I have exhibitions every two years or so…” she smiles. In between her commissioned work and her exhibitions, she takes time to make her smaller pieces which are about 18” high. Her most remarkable sculptures are exhibited in Jamat in Mumbai. Says Verodina, “I love my work and put my heart and soul into each piece I create. When I work, the clay flows and moulds so easily. I feel so good doing clay work!”

The figures Verodina fashions with her hands have a simplicity of form: elongated and elegant they do not have too much detail. For that is what the beauty of her art portrays – fluid movement and a silent communication which conveys a message to the public who view it. She says, “I do a lot of of seated figures – two or more people together, who communicate with each other silently”. Her compositions are low key, so that the simplicity of the figure is not disturbed. But her forms are bold though simplistic in nature as she does not fuss with too many details.

For homes, Verodina does small figurines, ashtrays, pen stands and even chafing dishes – articles of everyday use. But each piece is hand made and individual in nature, so there is no repetition in her work. Hotels parks and public areas order pieces of her work which is placed in a landscaped area.

At 50 years of age, Verodina De Souza is constantly working. She says, “Clay is very therapeutic – it can be very healing and soothing. For me, it is like a form of meditation. It gives me an elated feeling as I am in tune with my creations when I am working.” What are her future plans? She says that she is working for an exhibition which will blend art with utility aimed at the common man, and which is affordable too. She hopes that she will be ready with this collection in six months.

She also wants to experiment with mediums such as metal and wood. Perhaps a mixed media using metal, wood and clay - that is what Verodina wants to do someday. As we part, Verodina sums up her philosophy of life thus – “Live in the present; forget the past and don’t think of the future. Just live for now! I would really like to see more and more people involved in clay work, because it is such a wonderful medium”.


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