Paper crafts on display at Orissa Modern Art Gallery in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 31: Elegant lamp shades, jewellery, accessories as well as decorative crafts exhibited at Orissa Modern Art Gallery (OMAG) here are attracting those who appreciate beautiful things. Arun Kumar Ojha has made the artefacts out of waste paper.

The three-day exhibition was inaugurated on Sunday. From glazing trinkets such as tiny lockets, bangles and ear rings studded with sparkling stones to idols of Buddha, novel showpieces with Lord Jagannath’s sculpture, intricately decorated horses and elephants and many other items made of paper have been presented by Ojha.

“These articles are all strong, light-weight and long-lasting. Most importantly, they are bio-degradable,” Ojha informed the visitors.

Ojha’s forte is murals made of waste paper. He has exhibited a series of murals on early civilisation that have been designed like the art tablets found in Mohenjodaro and Egypt. These have also been given the look of burnt clay.

Another series based on tribal motifs, mainly patterns from the Saura paintings, has been displayed in the form of wall hangings and on vases, lamp shades and photo frames.

Visitors have been impressed with the innovative designs of the paper crafts.

“The crafts are fascinating, especially the designs and colours used. It is unbelievable that articles made out of paper can be so strong. All the exhibits are beautiful,” said K. Nanda, an art lover.

“I have always focused on designs and trained under a Delhi-based artist to come up with stylish designs that can fit into interiors today,” said Ojha, who hails from Barigaon in Keonjhar district, famous for paper mache crafts.

Ojha, earlier a lecturer in economics, was inspired by his craftsman uncle Harihar Sutar and developed a passion for paper crafts.

Supported by cultural outfit Samskritiki, which organised the exhibition, Ojha has set up Creative Craft Centre at his village where he trains youngsters and women in the craft.

He has also won the state government’s Most Innovative Product for 2010 and 2011 at Sisir Saras rural products fair and participated in many national and international fairs.