His work has not only won him praise in Pakistan but across the globe, where he has held exhibitions to showcase his talent.
Fakeero Solanki, busies himself with playing with clay, wood, plaster of Paris, fiberglass and plasticine, to produce masterpieces with his gifted hands.
“My father and grandfather were masons who sculpted idols for worship. I got my talent from them, but they left too soon."
The Express Tribune
Inspired by the work of the late Italian artist Michelangelo, Solanki, who is simply referred to as Fakeero among art lovers, began training himself for creating art way back in 1993.
It is a great honor to Mr "Fakeero"Solanki^ distinguished Clay Sculptor of PakistanTando Allayar make Amazing clay sculpture of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Sahiba ? @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/tzztG3Is3g
— Zulfiqar behan (@Alizulfiqar78) July 30, 2021
Fakeero Solanki was born in a family of sculptors in Tando Allahyar. He started sculpting when he was only 12. After completing his Intermediate, he started making idols and sculptures full time. From sculptures of Hindu deities to famous personalities of Pakistan and celebrated figures of the world, he has made them all.
Students from all over Pakistan also study and try to learn his techniques.
Every day, he starts working at 9 am and calls it a day at around 6 pm. Not a day passes when Solanki spends away from his studio and sculptures.
“Because an artist never thinks of taking a holiday."
He explained how he spent days and nights with people from various professions to understand their craftsmanship.
“In the 1990’s, we did not have internet so I did not really have the same opportunities as children of today. I would practice very hard till I started improving. Due to the books I found I started working on minute details in every sculpture. If I wanted to work on muscles, I would go to a gym to see the shapes and delicate details of a man’s body. If jewelry needed to be made I spent time with the jewelers to see how they work. I spent time with barbers to see the texture of beards and hairstyles and I even tried to learn palmistry to understand the lines in a hand and its shape."
umaimajournal
Till now, this self-made artist has made nearly 350 sculptures and presently takes about two to two-and-a-half months to complete a single piece of work.
