In fine form

Sculptor creates statue of Sheikh Zayed

Sculpting is his passion. Be it out of wood or cement, Suresh Kumar K.R. loves to make figures of people and animals. His latest creation is the bust of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Suresh has been making statues and gifting them to people all his life. Most of his creations are, however, back home in India. For a person with no formal training in any art form, what he has created is an admirable piece of work.

Suresh is a foreman in a construction company and builds houses for a living. Thus he finds it very comfortable working with cement and steel wires.

For the statue of Sheikh Zayed, Suresh used cement, sand, reinforced steel mesh and gold foil cover. He first assembled the steel mesh and then worked on cement, sand and water.

It took around two days for that cemented mould to dry up. Then he began working on it. A coating material, putty, was used to fill in the gaps and then the finishing touches were applied.

After the lines, touch ups and fine finishing was done, gold foil was skilfully placed and pasted on it.

What if something wasn't right at the end, how would he correct it? "I have been making statues since long, I don't make mistakes. I am sure of what I am making," he says with confidence.

The expression on the face of Sheikh Zayed's statue particularly catches the eye. It is commendable how Suresh has managed to create an impressive effect with the delicate lines on the statue's face, especially near the eyes. This has been done with tools which Suresh has made himself.

It took him two months to complete the statue. During this period, almost every night after returning from work he worked on it for two hours or so.

So, what does he plan to do with this piece? "Present it to Sheikh Zayed," he answers with a smile.