The Art of Sculpture (A Complete Handbook of Methods and Materials)

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About the Author The word sculpture is derived from the Latin 'sculpturea', which means 'to cut or carve in stone'. Indian traditional artists and the manuals they follow use the word 'Shilpi/Shilpin' for one who is proficient in carving. Various Indian texts present their views on the subject. Thinkers and sages visualized and manifested form for the unmanifested 'nirguna', one that is devoid of form and attributes. Sculpture is an expression of that visualization. The interesting thing is that all forms of artistic creation are attributed to Vishwakarma the celestial craftsman who himself was 'unmanifested'! Viswakarma is the mythical progenitor of Sthapatya Veda, an Upaveda of Atharva Veda that deals with all forms of arts and crafts. This is the philosophical view of the origin of sculpture according to Hindu mythology. In ancient times, the needs of the settled communities brought in diversification of work such as clearing forests, burning bush vegetation, tilling the soil and making it suitable for raising crops and domestication of cattle. Settlements also required building of homes for protecting people from heat, cold, rain and enemies at night. This led to their making tools, implements and weapons for offense and defense, carpentry, mining ores and smelting, with different metals and alloys etc. Thus this was also the birth of sculpture making.

Preface During my six decades of experience as a sculptor and a teacher of the subject at the Banaras Hindu University I have noticed that contemporary sculptural practices in India are more diverse and complex than those of pre-modern sculpture. Contemporary mediums and methods of sculpture in India also involve several aspects of Western sculptural practices. I felt the need for a comprehensive treatise, incorporating these two approaches. In order to fulfill this need, I have gathered and codified many facts on the use of such materials and mediums as terracotta, stone, wood, metal, precious stones, gems, ivory and stucco, which I would love to share with my students, and with teachers and fellow sculptors.

Foreword M.V. Krishnan holds a premier position among those rare persons who articulated with clarity about the art of sculpture. Innumerable studies and creative activities done by him are memorable.

Bom as a Keralite and grown into an international figure through his art activities M.V. Krishnan's departure is a huge loss to the world of creativity. However the art works left behind by him survive the test of time and stay with the generations, with pride, as a source of reference. His book 'Art of Sculpture' could be considered one among his creative efforts as a great work in writing.

Introduction The word sculpture is derived from the Latin 'sculpturea', which means 'to cut or carve in stone'. Indian traditional artists and the manuals they follow use the word 'Shilpi/Shilpin' for one who is proficient in carving. Various Indian texts present their views on the subject. Thinkers and sages visualized and manifested form for the unmanifested 'nirguna', one that is devoid of form and attributes. Sculpture is an expression of that visualization. The interesting thing is that all forms of artistic creation are attributed to Vishwakarma the celestial craftsman who himself was 'unmanifested'! Viswakarma is the mythical progenitor of Sthapatya Veda, an Upaveda of Atharva Veda that deals with all forms of arts and crafts. This is the philosophical view of the origin of sculpture according to Hindu mythology.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages