Chasing a dream in the United States
Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY
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Making two ends meet and pursuing a course in sculpture abroad is no joke, says Madhu.
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The ‘visual’ aspect is very important to a sculptor because that is the only medium that lasts for forever. Sculpture should be powerful and beautiful.
Art doesn’t die The sculptor with his creation.
A sculptor student living in San Franciscoearning his living by hard work whenever it is obtainable. How Madhu landed in the United States to pursue his passion is interesting even as it is depressing.
Film Director Dasarath and Madhu were room mates once in Punjagutta and the former after seeing his talented friend struggle for some good lectures in JNTU introduced him to producer Allu Aravind and the journey began. Says Madhu unabashedly, “I spent six years in JNTU and was the only student in sculpture. I put in so much effort but to no avail. Without Aravind’s help I wouldn’t have come here at all. Unfortunately things are not as rosy as they seemed.”
Drained of resources
Madhu says, “I think I might never get a degree here. I might leave this second semester and join another school where education is much cheaper. Here at the Academy of Art University I have to pay $7000 per semester.
I work the entire day to fund my college fee and by the end of the day I’m drained and left with little time to pursue my goals. In the rush to earn a living and to sustain myself I have forgotten the reason for my coming here. I have realised art and sculpture is for rich people. I don’t even have a job.”
Madhu’s dream is to make largescale sculptures (50 to 100 ft) in India.
He says it might take another ten years of study to reach that scale.
He adds, “I believe it is important to study traditional skills like, drawing still life, showing 3D on a paper, colour theories, composition and so on because it will help the artist to make a better visual.
I give importance to the “visual” first, it is very important to a sculptor because that is the only medium that lasts for forever. Sculpture should be powerful and beautiful. I have some ideas to implement, but I neither have the time nor the money. I would want to make a very nice portrait of Hilary Clinton in bronze.
It will take me three to four months and will cost me $10000.
My ultimate aim was to specialise in Robotics, art and sculpture but I don’t seem to be moving.”
How does Madhu practise his work?
Sad plight
“I hardly do and in these three years I had done about only ten pieces. If I had the time and resources I could have done around 100.
I don’t even have a camera to take pictures of my work and the clay...I use the clay that is dumped at college and get it home to soak it overnight.”
Being a largely self taught functional sculptor, Madhu doesn’t need a degree to do his art but however, he does wish to acquire more technical skills and that can be hard to do without a pool of friends or some monetary help.
The darkest clouds often bring the heaviest showers of blessing.
If any art lover is inclined to help Madhu Jalli will be more than happy. He can be contacted at madhujalli@ rediffmail. com
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