Visakhapatnam: Even waste materials get transformed into art pieces in his hands and draw praises. Gattem Venkatesh, a second year student of architecture, has carved out over 250 miniatures with waste materials, paper, pencil, chalks and match sticks, inviting laurels from all. He has created 100 models with pencils, 20 models with chalk, 10 with paper and other miniatures with waste materials. So far, he has bagged about 50 awards for his craft. He also registered his name in the 'Limca Book of Records' in 2013 for arranging 5,432 paper boats in sequence to make 24x18 m ship model in four days.
He also claims to have made world’s smallest chess board of 1.2 cm, alphabets, numbers and faces carved with pencil lead also list in his record. Sharing about his journey in this art, he says, "It was my parents who spotted my talent first. During summer vacation just to pass time, after Class X, I made a miniature of Lord Ganesh with glass bangles. Seeing that, my parents insisted me to concentrate on this art. Despite financial constraints, they are encouraging me."
For the love of Eiffel Tower in Paris, he carved a miniature on pencil lead, and made a model with chalk, pens, thread and matchstick which has turned out to be one of his best. Of all the types of micro arts, he finds making models with pencil more interesting compared to paper and other materials. He is also contesting for the Guinness Book of Records in the category of smallest sculpture.
"I have sent the application and demonstration and am keeping my fingers crossed. I want to be the best micro artist and design buildings with innovative ideas.” Venkatesh says about his ambition. He also organises exhibitions in his village in Nakkapalli mandal every year. "I would like to help the poor people to learn the art so that it can be source of income for them," he added.
