Edwin Fernandes was in middle school when the idea of wire art first presented itself to him. Unthinkingly fiddling with some wire that he had got hold of, he was surprised by the beauty of the final outcome. “That was the first time it struck me that I can do something with this.”

For some after that, Edwin kept at it as a hobby, making several artefacts that either graced his house or those of his friends. Later when he started working, art had to take a backseat. 

“Now I have taken it up full time and even sell some of these custom-made wire art murals. My house is like an art gallery in itself; mostly people walk in to see the different items I have made and then want some for themselves too,” he says with a laugh. He also creates realistic miniatures. 

From dancing girls and flying birds to animals, aeroplanes and even religious deities, Edwin shapes everything with his deft fingers. He has a video which is an engaging showcase of his creations over the years; he sends it to interested clients for them to get an idea of the work he does. Apart from this, the only publicity he gets is through word of mouth. Edwin does not even have a Facebook page. 

Imported enamelled copper and aluminium wire in natural transparent or colour enamel is configured into intricate forms. “How long it takes depends on the intricacy of the design. The tougher it is to make, the better it is because I enjoy doing such projects more. However, art can’t be made at a stretch. I can’t make it in one sitting. So on an average, I spend about 15-20 hours spread over a couple of days.” 

Edwin adds that among his creations, the flying eagle and the fern tree were the creations that took more time than others. 

Inspiration can strike anywhere and anytime. “If I see something which catches my fancy, I make a rough sketch and keep it for future use. So when someone asks me for some theme, I show them these drawings and see if there is something suited for them. They may take a combination of 2-3 designs and I put it into one creation,” he says.

His future plans are simple, to continue this activity that he says is very close to his heart now. “It is not very common. There are people who are doing this but not in the way I am doing. I would like to keep that way.”

(Edwin can be contacted on fernandes_edwin@yahoo.co.in)