https://sputniknews.in/20231015/art-can-change-a-lot-in-peoples-mindset-sudarsan-pattnaik-in-times-of-war-4805056.html
Art Can Change Mindsets: Sudarsan Pattnaik in Times of War
Art Can Change Mindsets: Sudarsan Pattnaik in Times of War
Sputnik India
Known for his thought-provoking sand sculptures, Sudarsan Pattnaik recently drew much attention for his creation on Hamas attack on Israel and appeal for peace.
2023-10-15T18:48+0530
2023-10-15T18:48+0530
2023-10-16T11:45+0530
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Pattnaik, who has been working for years to raise public awareness about current issues affecting humanity as a whole, was awarded India's fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shree, in 2014 for his contribution to sand art.Today, he attracts widespread attention for each of his creations. Sputnik India interviewed the 45-year-old Indian artist, delving into his artistic journey that has spanned decades, he offered insightful observations about the world and its events, all through the lens of an artist.Sputnik India: What fascinated you so much about sand art that you didn't take up the traditional paint brush and colors?Sudarsan Pattnaik: Actually, I live in a coastal city of Puri, in India's Odisha state known for Lord Jagannath Temple. And the existence of the sea felt like a big canvas to me as a penniless child.I chose it since I had a childhood full of struggles. We didn't have enough means to lead even a normal life. We survived on my grandmother's meager pension of INR 200 four decades ago. I had to drop out of school in 6th grade. Then I served as a domestic help in the neighborhood.My creativity evoked much tourist appreciation on the beach. It motivated me to embrace this sand art with passion. I used to practice during the evenings at the beach after completing day's work as domestic help.Sputnik India: What is the driving force behind creating and exhibiting your artwork at public places such as beaches?Sudarsan: Actually, while pursuing it passionately for years, it struck me that I should utilize public places as a medium to convey my message. So, whatever I have exhibited or created as sand sculptures, their themes are current burning issues driven. I do it to highlight issues and spread a positive message.Sputnik India: What comes to your mind as an artist when you see this much death and destruction taking place like in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict?Sudarsan: I have expressed my innermost sentiments through my latest sand sculpture 'Praying for Peace, Solidarity with Humanity'. This was my central message through it. It shows the crumbling and destroyed buildings and an Israeli flag. And it includes two hands appealing for peace.Sputnik India: Can art and culture bring people close to each other?Sudarsan: Obviously. Through art, a lot of change is possible in people's mindset. The artists can give several positive messages and many are doing it.During COVID-19, so many artists came together to spread public awareness. And I do feel during such occurrences, the artists should come forward and give positive messages. I keep on trying to do it every time.People must know what artists are thinking in such a situation.Sputnik India: Russia has been known for its love for art and culture, how do you remember it since you have been there for competitions on different occasions?Sudarsan: Ah! You reminded me of my days in Russia. I won many prizes, including gold medals in championships held there. Russians love Indian art and culture a lot.My sculptures have always won tremendous appreciation and prizes.I have fond memories of travelling in Russia, distinct from other countries that I have visited. I remember two dear sculptor friends, late Martin Tulinius from Denmark, and one Pavel Mylnikov from Russia who is still in contact with me. We have great regard for each other. The Russians value our art and creativity. I have high respect for them.
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Art Can Change Mindsets: Sudarsan Pattnaik in Times of War
18:48 15.10.2023 (Updated: 11:45 16.10.2023) Exclusive
Sudarsan Pattnaik, renowned for his captivating sand sculptures, has recently captured the world's attention with his powerful portrayal of the Hamas attack on Israel.
Pattnaik, who has been working for years to raise public awareness about current issues affecting humanity as a whole, was awarded India's fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shree, in 2014 for his contribution to sand art.
Today, he attracts widespread attention for each of his creations. Sputnik India interviewed the 45-year-old Indian artist, delving into his artistic journey that has spanned decades, he offered insightful observations about the world and its events, all through the lens of an artist.
Sputnik India: What fascinated you so much about sand art that you didn't take up the traditional paint brush and colors?
Sudarsan Pattnaik: Actually, I live in a coastal city of Puri, in India's Odisha state known for
Lord Jagannath Temple.
And the existence of the sea felt like a big canvas to me as a penniless child. I chose it since I had a childhood full of struggles. We didn't have enough means to lead even a normal life. We survived on my grandmother's meager pension of INR 200 four decades ago. I had to drop out of school in 6th grade.
Then I served as a domestic help in the neighborhood.
As I didn't have enough to buy drawing material, I felt all I had was this vast sea shore to express myself. It served as a canvas on which I used fingernails to draw anything on sand.
My creativity evoked much tourist appreciation on the beach. It motivated me to embrace this sand art with passion. I used to practice during the
evenings at the beach after completing day's work as domestic help.
Sputnik India: What is the driving force behind creating and exhibiting your artwork at public places such as beaches?
Sudarsan: Actually, while pursuing it passionately for years, it struck me that I should utilize public places as a medium to convey my message. So, whatever I have exhibited or created as sand sculptures, their themes are current burning issues driven. I do it to highlight issues and spread a positive message.
During the Tsunami, I made a public appeal to help out hundreds of thousands of its victims. It drew worldwide attention. Likewise, through my art form. I spread public awareness against single use plastic which harms the environment immeasurably.
Sputnik India: What comes to your mind as an artist when you see this much death and destruction taking place like in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict?
Sudarsan: I have expressed
my innermost sentiments through my latest sand sculpture 'Praying for Peace, Solidarity with Humanity'. This was my central message through it.
It shows the crumbling and destroyed buildings and an Israeli flag. And it includes two hands appealing for peace.
I condemned whatever occurred in Israel. It is not okay what happened there. Such wars cost a lot of innocent lives. Through my art I represented how lives were lost as everyone saw from the first day's visuals. I created something out of what I felt.
Sputnik India: Can art and culture bring people close to each other?
Sudarsan: Obviously. Through art, a lot of change is possible in people's mindset. The artists can give several positive messages and many are doing it.
During COVID-19, so many artists came together to spread public awareness. And I do feel during such occurrences, the artists should come forward and give positive messages. I keep on trying to do it every time.
People must know what artists are thinking in such a situation.
Sputnik India: Russia has been known for its love for art and culture, how do you remember it since you have been there for competitions on different occasions?
Sudarsan: Ah! You reminded me of my days in Russia. I won many prizes, including gold medals in championships held there. Russians love Indian art and culture a lot.
My sculptures have always won tremendous appreciation and prizes.
Be it about Bollywood stars Mithun Chakraborty or Raj Kapoor memories, Russians would come and mention them to me. They also feel emotive and respectful toward Lord Ganesha, as I observed after making Ganesha sculptures.
I have fond memories of travelling in Russia, distinct from other countries that I have visited. I remember two dear sculptor friends, late Martin Tulinius from Denmark, and one Pavel Mylnikov from Russia who is still in contact with me. We have great regard for each other. The Russians value our art and creativity. I have high respect for them.
