Indian art and culture has probably touched hearts of foreign artists. The fact was noticed among the some foreign artists participating in the two-day International Friendship Art Workshop inaugurated By Urban Development Minister CP Singh in the State capital on Tuesday. England based painter Barbara Ash was influenced by the block paint concept used by Indian artists.
She said: “Two weeks back when I was in an Exhibition at New Delhi, I found block painting being used by painters of this nation. I tried to search it in the market out of excitement. But, it was unavailable. Fortunately, one of the painters had left some unused block paints. Immediately, I grabbed the colours.”
Ash is using block painting with sponge and stencils in the ongoing workshop wherein she will be presenting the bond of a mother and daughter. Nasima Haque Mitu, a popular sculptor of Bangladesh said she eagerly waits to have some black stone pieces of India. “We hardly find granite, marble or black stones in our nation. With no other option left, we try to search imported black stones from India at construction sites. Else, it is expensive to purchase or order imported stones,” Mitu, an expert in wood carving said.
Nepal’s Sculptor Om Khattri, a former post graduate student of College of Arts under Delhi University denoted the Granite stones of India more powerful than his own country. He said such workshops give him chance to explore carving techniques on granite. Unlike others, Thailand’s sculptor Noppadon Viroonchatapun was impressed by the weather of Ranchi.
“This is my second visit to India after a decade. The weather is cold. It is pleasant than my country since Thailand has a hot weather. People are friendly here like my homeland,” he said. Similar to Noppadon, Australian sculptor Birgit Grapetin is feeling homely. “There is a lot of difference between European and Indian culture. But, the welcoming gesture is same in both the nations. This is my maiden visit to the nation. I will treasure the memories and share the experience with my family after returning,” said Grapetin.
Interestingly, State Government seems interested in creating opportunities for the local artists. Singh revealed that the government is making plans on promoting the local art and culture of Jharkhand.