Ejanbemo Yanthan. (Imchawapang Jamir Photo)
Akangchila Longchar
Morung Express Feature
Dimapur | May 21
Gifted with an ability to sculpt, Ejanbemo Yanthan from Dimapur is a pre-eminent modern sculptor of this generation. The Naga lad possesses an inspiring artistic vision. A man of few words, Ejanbemo is painfully shy and reserved. He lets his art do the talking, and boy does it leave you speechless!
Ejanbemo is a remarkable sculptor, drawing life to real or figurative imagery’s. He uses Cement, Plaster of Paris, fibre glass, wood, clay, etc as his medium. He trained for five years in ‘Fine Arts’ at the Government College of Art & Craft at Guwahati.
Tryst with Art: Ejanbemo holds a Commerce background but this long standing nagging want to become an artist did not fade and finally he mustered enough courage to tell his dad that he wanted to be an artist. Ejanbemo thought that his dad would be mad about his decision but when he shared his idea he was surprised to find his dad extremely supportive and happy about the declaration. Maybe, Ejanbemo should not have had any doubts from the first place. For his dad is Mr. Patrick Yanthan, a painter himself. “Since my dad could not become a professional artist he allowed me to fulfill his dream” Ejanbemo shared.
Fine Beginnings: Ejanbemo discovered that he had a talent for sculpting when he was just a little boy. A story is told of how Ejanbemo would always be playing with mud, and sculpting little pots out of it. His mum and a friend were said to be tired of seeing Ejanbemo always playing with mud and becoming dirty that they were exasperated. Little they did know that the clay potter was a fine artist in the making.
Defining Art & His own style of Art: “Art is the platform to express our inner thoughts” is how he sums it up. On inspiration, he says that the colourful Naga costumes/ crafts are a concept that influences the majority of his work. Extremely passionate about sculpting, he shares that various forms of nature are displayed through sculpture which is unique. Sculpture involves carving, modeling, casting, construction and out of the many forms in sculpting, and Ejanbemo says that he enjoys sculpting human forms the most. It shows many expressions like happiness, sadness etc. He has also adapted the art of ‘Pointillism’ which is an image created by small distinct dots using the rotring pens. The technique relies on the ability of the eye and mind of the viewer to blend the color spots into a fuller range of tones. This artist feels that “As long as the art is recognized in its full form I feel it is rewarding”.
On First Loves & Inspirations: If sculpting is his first love, then painting is his second. He is currently working on a fabulous paining piece depicting young Lotha Nagas, captured celebrating the Tukho Emong festival. He named Auguste Rodin, the French Sculptor as an artist he admires the most. “Focus on the art, take the time to develop as a person and in your work. Don’t try to imitate, find your own way then your gift with the world”, is his advice for artists just starting out.
The road so far: Ejanbemo has participated in several exhibitions and workshops. In 2006, he took part in the 3rd Northeast States Exhibition at Guwahati, Assam, and 5th Northeast States Exhibition Guwahati, Assam in 2008, 5th national Junior Artist exhibition Guwahati Assam 2008, 23rd Nagaland State Art Exhibition Kohima, Nagaland 2008, National Level Stone Craft Workshop organized by NEZCC, Art demonstrative workshop cum exhibition, Dimapur, 2011.
Ejanbemo has certainly come a long way from his mud modeling days. He briefly taught at Hope Centre for Excellence, Dimapur as an art teacher. He has also won the Rotary Club Award Dimapur in 2004 and also won the 5th national Junior Artists Exhibition held at Guwahati Assam in 2008. He also judged for the National Painting Competition organized by Indian Council for Child Welfare held in November 2011, and a painting competition during North East Spring Festival at NEZCC Complex on March, 2012.
Ejanbemo mostly uses the medium of cement, wood, fibre glass, clay etc. But mostly recently in a commissioned project, he has used stone as a medium of sculpting for the very first time at the NEZCC stone gardens. Ejanbemo also has a clay model shaped to the likeness of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. It is amazing to learn that he created the sculpture after seeing a picture of the current CM from a newspaper photo.
Ejanbemo believes that there is no end to art work, a fact which pushes him forward and keeps himself motivated when things get tough in the studio. This fine artist rues the lack of galleries in Nagaland. He also opines that artists should come together and discuss these issues. Ejanbemo has plans to open a studio in the near future where he can work and also showcase his art. He also plans to hold an exhibition of his latest art. Ejanbemo proclaims that he still is yet to find a signature style and has no particular leaning towards any art influence. However, when one takes a look at his works, it is evident that there is a huge influence of tribal art. However, belonging to the modern generation, there are also traces of pop art intelligently mixed with traditional styles and themes.
It is believed that Sculptors represents a certain kind of technical knowledge that contributes to the understanding of the culture in which they exist. And we have a fine representation of that through Ejanbemo Yanthan and his art works.
