A realist on clay

A devoted family man, wanting to renounce temporal things and proceed in search of spiritualism, but cannot owing to his attachment for his family. The result – totally disoriented and suffocating appearance. Through the brown curtain of clay one can see his family members grinning which stands in stark contrast to his sombre facial expression. Pinky calls this work Longing For Devotion.

Meet Pinky Shah, a member of Dubai International Art Centre and resident of Dubai for the past 23 years, a sculptress-turned teacher who loves teaching. Her biggest moment was when she was recently commissioned for the Rashid Humanitarian Award 2000 Trophy.

"It was such a prestigious offer and I wanted to prove that trophies can be made right here in Dubai, instead of having it done elsewhere," she said. "I first had to get approval by making a 3D computer-based design. Once approved, the sculpture had to be made and fired and finally plated in pure silver. The middle body is silver-sand blasted, while the rest are plain silver polished," Pinky explained.

Pinky studied sculpture in India, practised painting in Dubai but started out as a commercial artist. In her sculptures she is a realist but her paintings are often abstract. She sculpts in clay but is at home also in oils, pastels and water colours.

For the past eight years she has been holding sculpture classes at the Centre and feels her students 'can be moulded like clay'. Picking up her subjects from daily happenings, she continues to create elegant clay figures which are not only unique, but also unusual.
The UAE has impinged on her in one way: Her sculptures have been localised.

"This is because local scenes like heritage are very popular," she said, pointing out to her sculpture of four camel trainers in bedouin style and sipping Arabic coffee.

Another sculpture, Brotherhood, shows four young boys – two expatriates and two nationals, playing together in absolute harmony. Not only is she at ease with local scenes, she is able to show her variety with the expressions she is able to portray.

Whether it is a Spanish singer or a Dutch dancer, her pet dog Ouzo or a camel, the family tree or the portrait of a lady – she sculpts them all with professional ease.

And is this a very encouraging hobby? "I find it very relaxing and refreshing, especially when you work with clay," she said. "Kneading the clay has therapeutic qualities as it provides good exercise for our hands and fingers," she added.

Pinky says that one does not have to be an artist to be a sculptor, but if one has proper 3D training and an artistic eye, he or she can excel in it.

"My students are my greatest critics. Solving their queries and questions have helped me sharpen my skills as a sculptress and being commissioned to create the Rashid Humanitarian Award Trophy 2000 has been my biggest reward," she concluded.