Young sculptor notes values of traditional art forms
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, December 04 2022:
Traditional art forms have high commercial values as they incorporate unique features, said a young sculptor from Ukhrul HA Wungreikhan.
The 25-year-old sculptor who hails from Hunphun Awontang, Ukhrul Village, while interacting with this correspondent, narrated how he took up the profession of making sculptures and his experience in the field so far.
Reportedly, Wungreikhan was raised by a single mother along with six other siblings.
HA Wungreikhan continued that he faced many obstacles in the initial stage of his endeavour due to financial problems and unavailability of guidance.
He said that he started making sculptures as a hobby after passing the Higher Secondary Examination in 2015 .
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After discovering his keen interest in the art form, his cousin brother helped the young sculptor in getting admission at KPJ Training Institute at Bengaluru on wood and stone carving.
After completing the course, Wungreikhan pursued another degree course at Manipur University of Culture on sculpture making, mainly fibre casting.
Wungreikhan went on to state that he had designed Hao Kuiret, bead , horn, Lengchenkui etc, and they all have high commercial values.
The young sculptor also spoke about the significance of traditional art and the need to preserve them.
"Art helps us to convey our emotion and love for the community where he/she belongs," he said and added, "artworks we left behind will help the future generations in understanding their roots and culture" .
He further stated that the value of traditional art is high in the market due to its unique characteristics.
Maintaining that he has been displaying his sculptures at exhibitions, trade fairs etc, Wungreikhan said that he now provides for himself including education fees by selling his artworks.
"Although there is great demand for traditional artworks in the market, artistes at times face difficulties due to unavailability of adequate raw material in the State," he said and added that local artisans will be greatly uplifted if the issue of raw material is solved.