Sculpted To Perfection

Sindh-based Sculptor Fakeera Fakeero Takes Tina Thakrar Through His Artistic Journey; One Which Boasts of a Rare Creative Streak, Life-size Sculptures, Global Recognition and Humility

- Tina Thakrar

It all starts with an iron base for the sculpture that is then coated with a layer of Plaster of Paris (POP) followed by clay. When this model is ready, a mould is created using rubber, which is then cast in fiberglass or marble, depending on the requirement. The final touches are painted on, bringing an end to this two-month long process.

The story of artist Fakeera Fakeero is very much like the sculptures he creates – multi-layered, resilient and intriguing. One of the most prolific sculptors in Pakistan, Fakeera has created 318 such sculptures in his 29-year long career. The award-winning artist has had his work displayed at exhibitions in Nepal, Istanbul, Karachi and Hyderabad and is recognised for his adept use of materials like clay, stone, fiberglass, POP, plasticine, and metal, to create striking sculptures.

Born in the Tando Allahyar town of Sindh, Fakeera came from true talent. He watched his father and grandfather, both homegrown artists, handcraft sculptures scaling almost 2 feet, for temples in Pakistan and India in the post-Partition period. They worked hard, but stuck to a small scale, while teaching their heir the ins and outs of sculpting, moulding, carving and painting. With every intricate little detail he learnt, Fakeera harboured bigger and bigger ambitions.