Know Your Faculty: ‘Apeejay fostered personal and professional growth’

Since his childhood he was influenced by the teachers at the school. They used to teach moral values and talk about the world outside. This piqued his curiosity about how his teachers knew everything. He vow that one day he too would become a teacher. Meet Dr Mohinder Kumar Mastana, Assistant Professor, Department of Sculpture, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar.

In a candid interview, he talks about how he became interested in sculpture.

How important do you think is institute-building for an educator, particularly in a value based brand like Apeejay?

Institute-building is of prime responsibility for an educator. And when the brand is as dignified as Apeejay, the responsibility becomes all the more Important. An institute is known by educators. They have to multi-task and keep up to date with latest information in the related-field; satisfaction of the students is important for institute-building which has to be ensured by every educator.

How did you become interested in sculpture?

I am from a village and used to play with mud initially and then slowly with clay. I started making some shapes that were in the form of toys, trees, huts and some animals that I would see in the village. Gradually, I got interested in this kind of art and started making big toys. After completing my schooling I visited Rock Garden, Chandigarh. There I saw similar kinds of objects/art forms that I had been making for years back home. This is when I came to know that they were called sculptures. This started my journey in this field.

Can you share memorable or inspiring experiences you’ve had as a professor?

During my teaching experience of 22 years, there are several students whom you teach and each one leaves a mark and a memory. But there are one or two students with whom your frequency matches – they understand the image that you have created in your mind about a particular sculpture. The outcome of such a synergy is always amazing because the output is brilliant.

What have been your achievements at Apeejay?

Apeejay has given me a very good atmosphere to grow both personally and professionally. The research centric approach of the institute has motivated me to take up PhD. I have received four state level awards and 25 national and international level awards in the field of visual art.

How does sculpture differ from other visual art forms like a painting?

Sculpture cannot conjure the illusion of space by purely optical means or invest its forms with atmosphere and light like painting or drawing can. Sculpture actually inhabits. The space in sculpture is shared by the viewer. Sculpture is also tactile – one can actually touch it and feel its various textures and forms.

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Apeejay has given me a very good atmosphere to grow both personally and professionally. The research centric approach of the institute has motivated me to take up PhD. I have received four state level awards and 25 national and international level awards in the field of visual art

–Dr Mohinder Kumar Mastana, Assistant Professor, Department of Sculpture, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar

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How do you encourage students to find their artistic voice and develop a unique style in their sculpting work?

Students are always very enthusiastic and ready to learn new techniques. I try my level best to introduce new materials that are easily available for making sculptures. Apart from the traditional materials like clay, stone, wood, I have introduced M-seal, shilpkar, papier mache, thermocol to name a few that the students are very happy to use and work with. It became very easy for them to get the different kinds of material and work.

Books, artists, or resources that would benefit students looking to expand their knowledge.

There are several books and artists’ work that each student must read and or see and take inspiration from: Ramkinker Baij, Leela Mukherjee, Subodh Gupta, Mrinalini Mukherjee, Bharti Kher, Satish Gujral, Krishna Reddy, and Basudeb Biswas are artists to study. I also recommend that students read: A survey of Indian Sculpture by SK Saraswati, Indian Sculpture by Stella Kramrisch, Moorti Kala Ka Itihas, by SM Asgar Ali Kadvi, Shilpa Darshan by Dr GK Aggarwal, and History of India & Indonesian Art by AK Coomaraswamy. Reading these books can be advantageous to students who want to or are pursuing sculpture.