Bhoomigandha

Working with children, who have never made three-dimensional artwork, we find it helpful to have them start with a simple sculpture that can be formed in their hands without setting the clay on the table as they work. Using a comfortably sized lump of soft clay, they are encouraged to keep turning it in their hands so they can see it from every direction as they work. Younger children will generally need to make sculpture by the “synthetic” method of sticking lots of pieces together like bodies, legs, tail and head. Three-dimensional quality comes naturally for all children.

Young children do most of their work from their own experiences. Select “I and my” topics. “I am playing with my dog.” “This is my family.” “This is my baby sister.” Observation is the second good source of inspiration. We discuss the thing being observed before starting and ask questions. Call attention to the attributes in some detail, point to various parts and ask detailed questions about form and size relationships, about surface and texture, and about point of view, attitude, feeling, and so on. Turn the model or have the child move around the subject of observation. Children benefit more if they learn to make their own observations and interpretations of what they see and do not want to limit their creative options by making them dependent on copy work from clay objects. We avoid doing demonstrations, but encourage them to experiment. We want them to become self-sufficient in visual thinking and problem solving – not just in their clay making skills. Imagination is the third source of inspiration for sculpture. We believe that very different parts of the brain are developed in each of the processes of observation, memory (working from everyday experiences), and imagination.

Our Bhumigandha program has already come of age. Some of our students have found vocational linkages in the space of the ‘Arts’ and have become sculptors/ designers and are now leading this program for us. Many exhibitions and trade expos have appreciated our artworks. Besides, many Corporates have welcomed our art intervention workshops designed after their company ‘Mottos and Values’. Be it individual or corporate gifting, art workshops at Kalasthali or offsite, office installations or public space art, our Bhoomigandha artists can with great finesse give physical expression to your corporate culture.