Soaring heights with scrap metal
"Recycling of the waste material is the 'in thing' today. I felt that doing something constructive and beautiful from the left over pieces would create an element of hope among the differently abled. The bits of metal speak for themselves. In my efforts, Vallery Taylor of CRP was my mentor, who encouraged and egged me on through the weary hours. My workers sometimes offered ideas of their own such as a 'palki' (sedan chair). It was surprising how they sometimes preferred the abstract subjects to the more realistic ones," said Arham.
Vallery A Taylor, head of the CRP, commented, "Before Arham's involvement we could never imagine that sculpture could be given life from dead 'off-cuts' of metal. His imagination has been exploding with ideas and the result is this exhibition." Owners of the sculpture pieces would be constantly reminded of the artist's creative skill, and CRP's practical assisting devices used by disabled people, she said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The sculpture pieces were modern and moving. They sometimes left a lot to the imagination and brought in well-known sayings and ideas like ochin pakhi, the crucified Christ, and "See no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil". He presented ornate flowers, exotic birds and animals, as well as mythological creatures, like Pegasus. Bangla folk scenes, like groups of musicians and dancers in a trance were also created with bold and dramatic twists and turns of metal. The lines were simple, and yet they left an indelible mark on the mind. With the backdrop of fluttering, delicate and transparent wall-hangings and delicate bamboo branches, the exhibit hall at Bengal Gallery wore a fresh look.
Arham is currently a PhD student in architectural anthropology at DU. He writes regularly on art, heritage, environment, and is a regular columnist on gardening too.
A self-taught artist, Arham showes great promise.