(Left) H Khehovi Yepthomi, Advisor, Art and Culture, Tourism, Government of Nagaland and (Right) Artist and Master Trainer Vivek Sharma speaking at the launching programme of Master Art Workshop held at the Heritage, Kohima on January 22. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 22
A ten day Master Art Workshop was launched on January 22 at the Heritage, Kohima by H Khehovi Yepthomi, Advisor, Art and Culture, Tourism, Government of Nagaland.
Organised by the Rattle and Hum Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture, the workshop is being organized from January 22 to 31, also partnered by the Himalaya Fine Art as event partner and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) as its Collaborator.
Eleven young Artists in Nagaland will be participating in the workshop with Viveek Sharma and Ajit Nagarkar as resource persons.
During the launching of the workshop, Artist and Master Trainer Viveek Sharma shared his struggles as an Artist in India, while encouraging them to persevere and work hard to establish themselves. “You have to keep going whatever the struggle, situation you are in, or the problems you are in. You should never blame anybody,” said Sharma.
While being brought up in the periphery such as Nagaland can often discourage artists with lesser opportunities, Sharma maintained that the situation and location should never be blamed for failure. “We all are born with a creative mind, the only thing is that we have to introspect within ourselves what is the best in us. And if you focus that whole energy into achieving then you don’t need anything. You can reach the world. If you have something, show it to the world,” stated Sharma who also added that the growth of new media has made it easier for artists to connect and network in the present day.
The Indian artist also acknowledged the department’s role in supporting young artists through such workshops. Sharma maintained that the only way to succeed is ‘to slog hard in life, to keep trying again and again and don’t give up.’
“When a struggle comes along with any form of art or life that we live, I think, we become much stronger as a person. If you have the attitude of not giving up anything in life without blaming anybody in your life, you will achieve,” said Sharma. The importance of staying true to one’s roots and identity was also highlighted. Despite influences from various artists across the globe, Sharma mentioned that he never left his roots as an Indian.
Similarly, Advisor H Khehovi Yepthomi in his speech viewed that while Art encompasses various forms of expression of human emotion and abilities, it also ‘holds the elements and aura of that particular community or tribe which reflect its identity and uniqueness’. Stating that the workshop is a chance for the participants to learn something new or to sharpen their skills, Yepthomi also expressed hope that the workshop will also provide the opportunity to establish connection with people from other parts of the world.
“Art points towards questioning, reflecting and sharing. I hope you all precisely do all that while having intensive discussions and gain knowledge that will further improve your art during the course of the workshop,” said Yepthomi who encouraged the organisers as well as the participants to pursue and invest all their talent, time and energy into enhancing their art.
A street art exhibition will also be held on January 30 and 31 at the Old NST area in Kohima town from 11 am to 3 pm. The artworks of the participants will be displayed as well as sold where the proceeds will go towards supporting the artists.