Lahore’s chiselers sculpting their way to perfection

Some of the models, carved with precision, seem almost realistic

LAHORE: With the establishment of a number of housing societies, grandiose sculptures of birds, animals and famous personalities are now a common sight. These larger-than-life statues, fashioned from cement, chalk and fibre, adorn gardens and parks in the city.

Some of these models are the work of a number of artisans in Lahore, who carve these sculptures with practiced skill and precision. Apart from being sold in various cities across the country, their work is also sent to other countries.

One such workshop known for producing these models is ‘The Art Valley’ located near Multan Road, Sundar Adda where hundreds of sculptures of animals, birds and famous personalities hide within. Entering the workshop feels like entering a parallel universe, where every living creature has been transformed into stone by a spell cast by an evil warlock.





Some of the models, carved with excruciatingly precise detail, almost seem realistic, a true testament to the skills of these artisans.

The manager of the workshop, Mohammad Younus, says that his father was the one who introduced him to this craft. “I started learning how to sculpt when I was in the ninth grade. Now, I have completed my education and have simultaneously learnt this craft,” he says.

Younus and his team’s sculptures are placed on the side of roads, in gardens, parks and in large housing schemes. These models are made from sand, cement, white chalk and fibre. Similarly, these models are also usually spotted next to benches and fountains, which makes for a pleasant sitting spot.

Pointing to a large giraffe, Younus explains that such a sculpture takes three people more than a week to make and has to be made piece by piece. “On the other hand, smaller sized models, such as those of turtles, rabbits and birds, take only a day to prepare,” he maintains.

The artisans at the workshop say this work requires special expertise and skill. “Creating any statue or model requires a lot of elbow grease and precision,” they explain. To make their work easier, they prepare a mould of each sculpture they produce. We can use these moulds to replicate models we have produced earlier, they add.

When asked about the price of these sculptures, Younus responds that a price tag cannot be put on skill and art. “The true value of these models can only be appreciated by those who treasure art and skill,” he says.



However, each model is priced according to the amount of work gone into producing it and the cost of raw materials. For example, a sculpture of a deer goes for Rs30,000, he says.

Muhammad Haseeb, one of Younus’ customers, says that he recently launched a housing scheme in Multan. To decorate the premises, they travelled to the workshop so that they can purchase decorations. He reveals he is inclined to the statues of the giraffe and dinosaurs.

Yakshi Anjun, another customer, says she purchased smaller statues for her garden in order to increase the aesthetic of her lawn. These models are expensive. However, there can never be a price tag on one’s passion, she says.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2019.