To create an innovative piece of art is to work towards an idea that stands out and who better to talk to than our very own sculptors of Mysore. Whether it is stone carving or metal casting, junk scrap metal welding or fiberglass molding, these artists have created a whole new platform of creative thinking and innovation in the field of sculpture.
Meet A.R. Manjunath, a sculptor par excellence who hails from Mysore. As a child, he found his calling in art and followed it. He completed his undergraduate degree BFA in painting from CAVA (Chamarajendra Government College of Visual Arts) but chose to pursue his Master’s in Sculpture and ever since there has been no stopping for this artist.
He chose stone as his main medium to work with and when he works his touch turns them into meaningful pieces of art that speaks out loud let alone standing out. His work has never been simple carving but each work has a distinctive idea behind it. In some sculptures the use of metal is seen and they are not just an add on, but fully part of an idea to bring in life. Another peculiar feature of Manjunath’s work is that they have different shades and textures on different faces of the same stonework. He is currently working on transforming waste rocks into creative pieces of art.
H.P. Abhilash, another sculptor from Mysore, brings in the word creativity and innovation in his art. He is currently an MFA student in CAVA who completed his BFA from the same institution in 2011. This sculptor uses scrap metals to create wonders bringing in meaning to junk and scrap metal as he creates ideas that strike a thought in the minds of people.
His recent work speaks for itself. The concept of ‘Birth’ has been moulded artistically to show the creation of life in a story that stands apart. The use of stone and metal rods to describe the process of a birth is marvellous.
Another sculptor who has broken all odds and made her way to the top is Dr. Geethanjali, a well-known sculptor from Mysore. She is a great example of achievement and passion of a woman in a field like sculpture where men are said to have failed. Her achievements and awards would exceed words but that does not stop this humble and passionate artist from doing what she loves.
She completed her BFA from CAVA in 1999 and did her MFA in Kalabhavan, Vishwabharathi Shantiniketan in West Bengal in 2001 and became the first sculptor in Karnataka to receive a Master’s degree in sculpture. She went on to complete her Ph.D in 2008 at Kannada University, also making her the first sculptor in Karnataka to hold a Ph.D. Her awards are many, one of them is the Karnataka Shilpakala Academy award in 2005.
She has also attended ten stone camps around India and exhibited her special skills and innovative ideas in sculptures. The chisel and hammer in her hand are her instruments to her creative thinking. She currently works as a guest faculty in CAVA and lighting designer for amateur drama groups.
As the saying goes, ‘as is the teacher so are the students,’ she proves the saying can be applied to the world of sculpture as well. Her recent work is 20ft cement work for the drama ‘Arya Dravida’ in Kagemanti near Mandya.
These sculptors have brought in a new light to the world of sculpture and will continue to break all odds to create works of art that speak ideas that would make a difference in this era where actions speak louder than words.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Sharon Nisha Patrick / June 01st, 2013