An exhibition of antique beds ‘The History of Bed’ was on display at the lalit Kala Academi here from May 7 to 17. The expo had an assortment of beds sourced from different parts of the State, collected by artist Sovan Kumar.
Around 15 beds were showcased in the unique exhibition. Sovan said, “As an artist, I found art in the wood furniture. The style, designs and patterns, made by the carpenters encouraged me to organise such a type of exhibition.”
Sovan polished the old beds and gave an artistic touch with paintings. A sculpture of Buddha lying in a bed was the crowd puller. He decorated all the beds in different thematic patterns.
“I found most beds and wood furniture are either damaged or not in use anymore. I had to give a final touch to all the beds,” said Sovan.
People were not giving up the beds, as there is an emotional factor attached to them. Some of them also want to show them to their children and preserve them.
“Despite various difficulties, I was able to collect the beds with the help of some scrap dealers,” he said.
Sovan’s collections included a folding bed, which the Britishers used to carry on horse while travelling and beds more than 100 years old etc. He collected the beds from Ganjam, Paralakhemundi, Danda Mukundpur, Puri, Ranpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack and Aska, etc.
“I will continue collecting antique beds as my aim is to open a museum,” Sovan said. The beds would become extinct one day as the carpenters are now used to make designer beds of plywood, he added. Imported furniture is in demand nowadays, he asserted.
Sovan also works in sculpture, ceramic and terracotta and painting mediums.