“Art and culture unite us”
Manama : Internationally recognised sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik, honoured by Bahrain’s Minister of Education Majid Bin Ali Al Nuaimi for his significant contribution to the Spring of Culture’s Community Programme, is planning to hold his first international sand exhibition in Bahrain.
“My first international exhibition will be in Bahrain,’’ he revealed.
This is the third year in a row that the Eleven World Record holder has visited Bahrain. “I come every year for the Spring of Culture,’’ said Sudarsan Pattnaik adding: “Bahrain government is promoting art and culture more than most places I’ve seen.”
Sudarsan Pattnaik sculpted a tribute to Princess Sabeeka on the occasion of the 2018 International Women’s Day, on March 8.
‘’I chose her because of her contribution to society, it was an honour for me,” expressed Sudarsan Pattnaik.
Sudarsan Pattnaik taught various techniques of creating sand art to over 30 teachers from the Ministry of Education during the five-day workshop.
‘’The teachers were so enthusiastic learn,’’ he said.
Awarded the Padma Shree in 2014 by the Government of India and having travelled to over 60 countries with his art, Sudarsan Pattnaik said, “while I have taught students elsewhere, only in Bahrain have I taught teachers.”
“Art and culture unite us, Bahrain has shown interest in developing both,” Sudarsan Pattnaik said.
The artist is currently working with Indira Gandhi National Open University, located in New Delhi, with designing a sand art course. The certified digital course is the world’s first online sand art course and is due to launch within the next two months.
“Many artists in Bahrain have expressed interest in this course,’’ said Sudarsan Pattnaik. He is encouraging Bahraini artist to participate in competitions abroad.
He had a special appreciation for the female artists in Bahrain. “I’ve seen girls making beautiful sculptures, and I could not believe it was their first time. They have a very good composition and ideas,’’ he said.
The international artist, born and raised in Puri, a small town in Orissa began showing his talents at a young age on the sands of the Golden beach in Puri.
From a poor family, he spent his childhood working in houses rather than studying. The sand and his art was his escape from the burden of child labour. ‘‘The whole day I worked in people’s houses, nobody appreciated me,” he recollected, “I was always appreciated for my art, the sea always gave me a new canvas, “he said.
Sudarsan Pattnaik’s objective is to popularise Sand Art a unique form of art, which can be used to express creativity, and to create awareness.
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