One of Nepal’s oldest living craft traditions, the statue institute has students learning the craft of making metal statues incorporating the antique metal work style. The metal statues or the metal crafts are famous in Nepal and other parts of the world. The bronze, brass and copper statuary is Nepal’s oldest living craft tradition, dating back at least 1300 years. Modern metal crafts are developed into fine mode based on antique metal work style. Metal Statues are of Buddhist deities in Tibetan style, although there are Newari styles of Buddhist and Hindu images.
Statues are used especially for religious purpose, home decoration as well as gifts. Statues are indispensable items for practitioners of every religion, both nationally and internationally, which is why this project is a central part of BIA. As a new addition to the BIA projects, the Statue Institute has started in BIA Kirtipur. A teacher, who is an experienced statue artisan, gives training and guidance to the students with disabilities on how to make metal statues.
This project has not only given them the opportunity to be engaged in art but also provided them a platform to explore their ‘self’ for independent living – by helping them to learn art and create a business opportunity at the same time. Here, disabled members are encouraged to positive living by generating skills in them. The project gives them an opportunity to show up their presence in the society on an equal level with others.
