Polythene pops up in Emilia's art

Emilia Roy, a 66-year-old artist and sculptor from Barishal has been making paintings, sculptures and other artwork with melted polythene waste for 30 years.

She lives in Rahutpara village of Agailjhara upazila of Barishal.

Emilia was very fond of paintings, music, poetry and making sculpture since her childhood. She was married early, after her SSC exams to Alfred Roy of the village. She continued with her art even though her studies stopped after her wedding.

This Prothom Alo correspondent recently visited the artist’s house in Barishal. There were two sculptures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Mother Teresa made of melted polythene in the balcony of her duplex house. There were many other sculptures of animals and famous persons including prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her youngest brother Sheikh Russel.

She also made unique pictures with polythene pulp mixed with different colours.

Emilia who is currently abroad said over phone that she did not have any institutional training. She made those sculptures and paintings with her imagination and innovation.

She said, back in 1990 she saw polythene melting as it came in touch with a hot utensil while she was cooking. That very moment the idea came into her mind. She then started collecting polythene to make sculptures and paintings.

Emilia never sought fame. She wanted to open a training academy where she would train people to make sculptures and paintings with melted polythene waste. She wants to preserve her own art in the academy besides training amateurs. She believes this can contribute to reduce the harm caused by polythene bags as well as contributing to eliminating unemployment.

A number of locals said, creating such art without any academic training is rare.

Emilia never sought publicity for her works. She did not use her skill commercially either, they added.

Agailjhara upazila parishad chairman Abdur Roich Serniabat said, government should patronise her art endeavours.