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KOHIMA — A 26-year-old sculptor and painter from Viswema village in Kohima district, Neivito Nicholas Vitsu, also known by the name Ato, won the spotlight with his recent triumph at the 7th North East Youth Festival in clay modelling competition in Tripura.
His journey from humble beginning to artistic repute was as captivating as his intricately crafted sculptures.
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Mirror, Ato, a gold medalist graduate in Fine Arts from Royal Global University, Guwahati, provided a glimpse of his passion for art, the inspiration behind his award-winning piece and his aspirations to revolutionise the art scene in Nagaland.
Stating that drawing and playing with clay was his first love since childhood, Ato said that he had won many competitions and his artworks mostly reflect culture and tradition as his ambition was to share art with different people, especially those from outside the state.
After completing Class 12, the sculptor went pursued fine arts at the Royal Global University. After his graduation, he began freelancing in art by participating in several exhibitions, which earned him many accolades.
Sharing about 7th North East Youth Festival in clay modeling competition in Tripura, Ato said that the competition was conducted under three topics namely environment, safe girl child, and development. He selected development and sculpted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, depicting the "development and advancements he has brought to us".
While recalling the challenges he faced during the competition, he said it was tough as the other competitors were skillful and creative.
"I believed in my ability to succeed, which helped me build confidence. I prayed and surrendered everything to Almighty God," said Ato.
"Receiving public recognition for something you have done with dedication is wonderful. I am grateful to the department of Youth Resources and Sports, through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, for giving me this wonderful opportunity," he added.
Ato encouraged more Nagas to engage in art, particularly in clay modeling and to host district-state competitions to inspire the younger generation. He also wish the government introduce Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) course in Nagaland University, which he believed would allow youth to obtain a degree without needing to go to other states.
He said that he aspires to set up a sculpture studio so that he can share his art with others easily and conduct workshops on clay modeling for interested Nagas.
Two artists, who have had an influence on his artistic journey, were Michelangelo and Henry Moore.
According to Ato, Michelangelo's mastery in both sculpture and painting, coupled with the pragmatism evident in his works, has inspired him to strive for excellence and continually push the boundaries. Similarly, Moore's semi-abstract approach has inspired him to explore techniques to depict Naga folk tales in his artworks.
The Naga sculptor described his creative process as developing multiple layouts and comparing them with existing artworks to ensure excellence. He refines his skills through daily live sketches, learning from past competitions and exhibitions to improve techniques, adapt to new environments and experiment with different mediums.
He said that 'art, in its diverse forms, shapes our lives, sparking conversations, stirring emotions and addressing important issues'; it 'doesn't just reflect but actively impacts and enhances our collective experiences, fostering social change'.
On his professional front, Ato informed that he along with two friends Longusie Nyuthe and Bode Swüro, who are also sculptors, formed a team called "3Atifs" in August last year. Since then, they have been collaborating on every project and commission.
"We are currently working on an upcoming project featuring an Angel figure standing 6.3 feet tall, which will be displayed at a private lounge in Dimapur. We are eagerly looking forward to it," he informed.
To conclyde, Ato urged aspiring artists to dedicate themselves to practicing, identifying one's strengths and developing one's signature style.