Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has won the Danish 'grand prize' at the 2nd Copenhagen International Sand sculpture festival 2013 for his 15-foot coloured sand sculpture created on the "Go green, Save Earth" theme.
Pattnaik got the award Monday at the prestigious festival being held in Denmark's capital city for his maiden coloured sand sculpture on foreign land. It took him seven days to complete the art work.
After winning the prize, the Odisha-based artist told IANS from Copenhagen that he had chosen environment as a theme as global warming affects the whole world.
Pattnaik, 36, who has been doing sand sculptures for 25 years, said he had always felt that people needed to ponder over "their treatment with the environment".
They should "find a proper way to have a balance with the nature".
Innovative art had always been a passion and the sand provided ready inspiration.
"As my house is very close to the Puri sea beach in Odisha, I chose the beach as my canvas."
Pattnaik, who has recently won the Moscow Choice prize in Russia and jury prize last year in Copenhagen besides other international accolades, finds sand art to be a "unique medium" for awareness.
There were 17 participant countries in the Copenhagen competition. While Ghana won the Jury prize, Italy won the Artist prize.
The festival is open for visitors up to Aug 25.
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