 Glass,
to an artist over the years, has been a medium for creative
expression. For Sisir Sahana, coming to Hyderabad
from Kolkata was an unforeseen event, similar
to his foray into the medium of glass and his gradual
transformation into a sculptor from a painter. He created
many outstanding works by using a unique and indeed a
challenging medium, glass. He displayed his selected works
in an exhibition titled, 'Frozen in time' at Surya
Art Gallery, which was concluded recently. The exhibition
offered ample chance to all the art connoisseurs of the
city to enrich their experience.
 Sisir
Sahana, who did his BFA and MFA in Shantiniketan -
Kalabhavan came to Hyderabad to join as a art teacher
at Hyderabad Public School in the city, which he
pursued for four years. Later in 1993 Sisir received the
Commonwealth Scholarship and the one-year Advance Diploma
in Stained Glass Painting from Central St Martin's
College of Art and Design at London.
Initially, after the training in London, Sisir made stained
glass works using the simple technique - painting and
firing, but now Sisir says, "Without my knowledge,
by sheer excitement of experimenting with glass and exploring
the medium, combining it with various materials, I have
become a sculptor. I never thought my fascination for
glass would make me a sculptor. There is great potential
in the medium and I am restless to explore it,"
he said. All Sisir's sculptures are appropriate translations
of his paintings.
 Sisir's
present exhibition of moulded glass sculptures 'Frozen
in time' is a synthesis of his relation between being
a painter and an experimentalist with glass, colour and
technology. It has showcased his three techniques - 'moulded
in glass and painted' (where glass pieces are arranged
into the made mould, heated, cooled then painted and reheated),
'glass fused in the mould' (relatively simpler technique
where glass of different colours is put in the mould and
fused while heating) and 'glass casting and inclusion'
(the toughest process - where a sculpture in coloured
glass is made by casting in mould using molten glass -
it is cooled and then around it plain melted glass or
textured plain glass is poured in molten form, which gives
the impression of glass in glass). Undoubtedly, a highly
technical process, which involves making moulds out of
plaster, clay and sand, heating, cooling, painting, melting,
cleaning, cooling and reheating. With all these basic
factors, Sisir finds many ways to create exceptional and
unique works.
When asked about the importance of technique, Sisir says,
"Technique should not overplay or overshadow your
artistic inspiration. But you need to learn the technique
for proper expression. Yes, in the beginning I was obsessed
with the learning process and it was dominating my sensibilities.
Now it is just a craft which I use to express my ideas."
Sisir's 'Frozen in time' is certainly the best expression
of creativity. |
