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Proving his mettle!

High Street Phoenix at Lower Parel plays host to a one-of-a-kind metal art display that is not just mystical, but also eco-friendly

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An art installation by artist Ilyas Ahmed at High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel
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Legendary artist Michelangelo once said that a “good painting is the kind that looks like a sculpture”. So, how about sculptures that outshine every other kind? A taste of what this means can be sampled at the metal art display hosted by High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel, during September 14 to October 14. A chat with artist Ilyas Ahmed reveals his creative process and what makes these magnificent sculptures unique.

From waste to wow
An art student who studied at Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru, Ahmed rediscovered his passion during his tenure at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), where he joined as a welder at the age of 19. As a true artist, he saw potential in scrap metal that was simply lying around. He says, “During my offshore journey on the rigs while I was with Maersk Oil, I’d spent several hours forming objects out of junk material.I learnt how nuts, bolts, springs, cans and other scrap material could be given any form. I was motivated to transform junk and build beauty out of waste and in turn, save the environment from getting polluted.”

Love for animals
Ahmed’s love for animals is evident in his sculptures, which range from a horse, camel, deer and pitbull. He says, “I wanted to create something, which depicts my passion for art while also depicting my love for animals.Initially, I started with mini sculptures, which were about six inches tall. But now, I make sculptures, which are about 40 inches in height.” And with practice, Ahmed is only getting better. “Previously, a life-size sculpture used to take around three months to complete. But now, a similar one takes approximately 15–20 days,” he says.

A neat side benefit
The most unique aspect of Ahmed’s sculptures—apart from their eco-friendliness—is that they won’t get corroded. Ahmed explains, “The parts used in the sculptures are rich in chromium. That means that they will not corrode easily when exposed to elements of nature.” Ahmed’s sculptures are attracting eyeballs at High Street Phoenix. He says, “People are clicking selfies with these installations. There has been tremendous social media traction for my metal art.”

What the future holds
Ahmed now looks forward to working on his kinetic sculptures. “Presently, I’m creating interactive art, which can talk to individuals. The mechanism is such that it keeps some parts of the art piece in motion with the wind,” Ahmed concludes.

 

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