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Artist and philanthropist Farha Sayeed, whose artistic work had been displayed in solo exhibitions across the world, including in Copenhagen, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, New Delhi and Sana’a, Yemen, will host the first ever Easter Art Exhibition – “The Easter Egg-Stravaganza” – to raise funds for American India Foundation Maternal and New Born Survival Initiative at the Chicago Symphony Center in Chicago Ill. March 20.
The event, which is free to the public, will exhibit a unique collection of more than 70 hand-carved and decorated Ostrich, Rhea, Emu, Goose, Duck, Turkey, Guinea and Hen eggs that are created with exquisite detail and ingenuity that are believed to be worthy of spaces in a museum, or the homes of the patricians.
Sayeed, wife of Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India in Chicago, has also participated in the 40th Annual ‘Eggs-Ibit’ International Dallas Egg Show 2014 held from June 6-8, and has been asked to display her permanent collection at an Art Gallery in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As a member of the International Egg Art Guild, and a pioneer in promoting Egg Art, Sayeed hopes to bring this rare art form to the world. “I am excited to share this talent with people across the world and expose them to this beautiful art form which I find so fulfilling,” she said.
Sayeed’s passion for Egg Art began over17 years ago after she experimented with different types of art forms, including pencil sketching, aluminum foil, charcoal, silk, and glass painting. She finally decided to create delicate ornaments using eggs.
Although, Sayeed has created many traditional pieces with an European influence, she is best known for creating delicate and exquisite pieces that are infused with elements of Indian and Islamic traditions, exhibiting traditional Islamic calligraphy and national symbols of India, including her paired creations “Almightys’ Will Praise be to God” and the “Apostles of Peace”, depicting the faces Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa.”
Each of Sayeed’s eggshells are intricately cut, carved and decorated by hand, and ornamented using pearls, beads, crystals, brocade, velvet, satin, golden laces and rhinestone chains, making each piece a masterpiece and one of its kind. She employs various techniques for decorating eggshells like cutting, carving, decoupage, trolling, etching, engraving, dyeing and beadwork. A high -speed tool is used for cutting the eggs and to reduce torque, which prevents shattering and the shells are treated with liquid polymer to strengthen and preserve their natural beauty. Once complete, the eggs are mounted on beautiful silver and golden stands. All eggs used for artistry belong to hatchery or farm-grown birds only.
Each egg takes months to create, involving hours of intricate work and dedication, resulting in creations of masterpieces, including exquisite display pieces like jewelry boxes, carriages, music boxes and even tea sets. Although she is undeniably a master of egg artistry, she insists that she needs to learn more. “My message to women all over is to keep learning and to tap into your creativity. Every woman should have some creative outlet. I can’t stress how important creativity is, and I have never stopped learning, I still have a lot to learn. If something appeals to me, I am curious to know how it is made and keep learning. I hope that other women can find a creative outlet like I have,” she told Desi Talk in an interview.
Although Sayeed does not sell her pieces, they can be commissioned on an order basis or procured at fundraising events. Many of her pieces have been donated to charity that fetched anywhere between $5,000- $500,000 from celebrities and diplomats across the world.
The post Farha Sayeed’s Artistic Work On View At Chicago Symphony Center appeared first on News India Times.
