Did you know eggshells can be used creatively? Meet 24-year-old Jijin S. Kumar, an international eggshell artist, who does out-of-the-box art works on egg shells. It was a Facebook photo that inspired him to make art with eggshells. He has been experimenting with this style of art for the past five years. “We can make anything out of eggshells,” says Jijin. He has more than a 100 eggshell art pieces to his credit. He is also the only artist from Kerala to have received an international certificate in eggshell art in 2015.
Jijin, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, is an optometrist at Believer’s Church Medical College Hospital in Thiruvalla. He says creating art works on egg shells is challenging. Though he initially broke around 42 eggshells, he persisted on his pursuit.
He now creates designs out of eggshells and does carving on the shells and then paints it with acrylic and matte colours. “One of my pieces was added in the logo of international egg artist, 2017,” says Jijin.
Before experimenting with egg shell, he did thorough research on eggs and hens.
“Eggshell artists use instruments for carving. My eggshell art pieces are all handmade. I use small and different kinds of needles and sandpaper in my art works,” says Jijin. He has conducted solo and group exhibitions at various places. In September, he had his solo exhibition at Museum Art Gallery in Thiruvananthapuram. He organised an art group named Kaapo, through which he and six of his friends came together to organise exhibitions.
“Each person in the group does different artwork. I am the only person in the group who does eggshell art. Kaapo means ‘Man of Art for God’,” explains Jijin. They have a Facebook page named ‘Kaapo Creations’, where he and his friends upload their art works
He does eggshell art on all types of eggs from lizard eggs to ostrich eggs. Each work he does takes 30-35 days. “My favorite artwork is the one I did with the egg of Rhea bird. I usually do eggshell art in the evenings, when I get free time,” says Jijin.
He has been invited to the World Egg Artist Association in 2015. His art is mentioned in the encyclopedia in 2016 and he is also one of the members of the Encyclopedia of World Egg Artist’s Association. This year he has also been invited to Mexico by an international artist.
His upcoming eggshell artwork exhibition will be on October 12 at Believer’s Hospital in Thiruvalla. Jijin does charity through his exhibitions. His dream is to make unique art creations with eggshells.
