ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) is holding a week-long sculpture workshop and exhibition to teach artists working with Gandharan art contemporary art trends and styles so they can produce original work instead of replicating Gandharan sculptures.

Some 10 or 12 artists from Taxila are taking part in the workshop, all of whom were used to replicating Gandharan art, which is illegal under the Antiquities Act 1975.

Various smugglers would exploit the fact that replicating Gandharan art is illegal, the stigma attached to making religious statues and the poverty of these artists.

Speaking to Dawn, an artist from Taxila, Arshad Hussein said: “Our work does not have any value locally. People don’t buy the sculptures we make because they associate them with religious idols. Foreigners take an interest in our work and pay a good price for it, but that happens once in a blue moon.”

He said that to make sculptures, he first refines stone with a chisel and a hammer, draws sketches on it and then carves it before applying the finishing touches with sandpaper.

Mr Hussein hoped the work shop will help artists produce original, and legal, art work and urged the government to provide training and to arrange for exhibiting locally produced handicrafts.

Various sculptures and stone carved items including decoration pieces, wall hangings, tables, utensils and lamps were displayed for the artists, who were making their art pieces in the PNCA lawn on Tuesday.

Many art students also participated in the event in order to learn from artisans as this form of art is not taught in the twin cities.

“We had to attend this workshop because Gandharan art fascinates everyone who is in this field. We are trying to learn as much as we can in these few days, which is not an easy task,” said a fine art student from the Rawalpindi Art Council, Talia Noor.

Another art student, Hiba Javed said the younger generation could bring new dimensions into this centuries old art. Carving a flower with a sharp chisel on a small piece of stone, she said: “It is amazing to see these artists working so effortlessly with stones and we are trying to learn how to use a chisel”.

Talking to Dawn, PNCA Director General Jamal Shah said the workshop and exhibition will help encourage artists to utilise their skills and help them make a decent living.

“We want to give these artists a new direction and dimension, so that they can discover their selves. Only original work earns artists recognition,” he said.

He said the artists participating in the workshop were asked to produce Gandharan art pieces with changes to posture, features and sizes. The new pieces will then be displayed along with the original ones in the exhibition at the National Art Gallery, where they will be housed later on.

The PNCA will also be helping the artists in networking with other artists and private institutes for commissioned projects.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2016